Pania Wildlife Sanctuary

Pania Wildlife Sanctuary is commonly and popularly known as Chanchai – was declared as Pania Sanctuary in 1989, which is situated in the heart of the Gir forest and Wildlife Sanctuary. This integral part of the forest has less source of water and other natural conditions, while grass is been grown abundantly, making a perfect area for Chinkara called as the Indian Gazelle. This land is swift, precipitous and undulant which forms a carpet like – covering with grass and other vegetation.

There are other animals like Lions, Leapords, Poisonous snakes which have made wooded areas of Gir forest as their home, while these Gazelle wander more frequently in this Sanctuary. This part of the Sanctuary is situated in Amreli District near to Godhra and is easily approachable from many other parts of Godhra. The hills in Pania Sanctuary are of scenic beauty and attractive picturesque and the land is very suitable for terrain for Gazette. The hills of Chanchai forms boundary towards the North West part of the Gir forest.

Area of the Forest

The total land for Pania forest is around 39.63 square kilometers with many rare and endangered species while the refuge for these animals is different from Gir forest even though it has been the extended part of Gir Sanctuary.

The lions move freely across and around the foot hills, while the hilly, terrain region of this forest is best for Chinkara with a view to attenuate conservation of species. This area extends its hand towards the ecological security and betterment and improvement of environment to the part of Amreli district. The drawback of this area is that, there is absence of natural water source, where the habitats find difficult to find the water.

The unpolished liveliness of nature stretches out glory of Pania Sanctuary is experienced at its best. This place can be proved as heaven for the tourists, animal lovers which will provide great, sufficient and unexpected treasures and multiplicity of nature. On the way to this sanctuary, diminutive animals capture the magical appearance of the king of forest lazing around in rustic rough area.

Challenges taken to Improve the Spot

The state Government and the forest authorities have taken up several challenges to improve the place to make it an attractive tourist spot. The peripheral area is surrounded with the profitable areas and villages; while, the situation of the Sanctuary makes it vulnerable to elicit cutting edge. The farming pressure during the water scarcity period and the invasion of cattle during the monsoon puts the wild habitats under burden and pressure.

Animals are facing dangers, due to the interference from humans; as they reside close to the proximity. Though, people near to the place are educated and knows not to violate the law, they just enter into the forest, do venture into the forest for wood, and permit their domestic animals to graze the grass.

Best Time to Visit this Sanctuary

Winters and Monsoons are considered to be the best part of the year to visit these places. Other than Chinkara animals which are habituated in this sanctuary are Fox, Antelope, Wild Cat, Hyena, Blue Bull, Python, Porcupine, Leapords, wild boar and many others. It is also said that this particular Sanctuary also possesses different varieties of grass.