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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Koyna-Dam3.jpg
| photo_caption = Catchment area of the Shivsagar Reservoir
| map = India |relief=1
| location = [[Satara District|Satara]], [[Maharashtra]] [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Kolhapur]] and [[Pune]]
| coordinates = {{coord|17|32|56|N|73|45|11|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|423.55|km2}}
| established = 1985
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [http://www.mahaforest.nic.in Maharashtra State Forest Department]
|embedded={{designation list | embed=yes
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_offname = Natural Properties - Western Ghats (India)
| designation1_date = 2012 <small>(36th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_type = Natural
| designation1_criteria = ix, x
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342 1342]
| designation1_free1name = State Party
| designation1_free1value = India
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2value = [[Indian subcontinent]]
}}}}

'''Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a [[Wildlife sanctuaries of India|wildlife sanctuary]] and natural World Heritage Site, which is located in [[Satara district]] of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. Further, this wildlife sanctuary is designated as an Important Bird area. The sanctuary is nested in the [[Western Ghats]], covering an area of around {{convert|423.55|km2|abbr=on}}, and elevations ranging from {{convert|600|to|1100|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It was notified in 1985 as a wildlife sanctuary situated in Maharashtra. It forms the northern portion of the [[Sahyadri Tiger Reserve]], with [[Chandoli National Park]] forming the southern part of the reserve.

==History==
The [[Vasota Fort]] lies deep in the forests and is located at an elevation of {{convert|1120|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. The legend states that the fort was constructed by [[Malwa]] king [[Bhoja|Raja Bhoja]] in 1170.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

==Geography==
The rivers [[Koyna River|Koyna]], [[Kandati]], and [[Solashi]] meander through the sanctuary. It also forms the catchment area for the Koyna River, and [https://agreenhotels.in/koyna-wildlife-sanctuary-shivsagar-lake/ Shivsagar] reservoir formed by the [[Koyna Dam]]. To the south of the park lies the Chandoli National Park.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/fr/listesindicatives/2103/ Western Ghats (sub cluster nomination)], [[UNESCO]], accessed on 2007-03-14</ref> The sanctuary includes eastern and western catchments of the Koyna dam. The sanctuary is well protected by the large extent of Shivsagar reservoir and steep slopes of the [[Western Ghats]] on both the sides. This protected area is connected by a forested [[wildlife corridor]] to Chandoli National Park and [[Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary]] in the south.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Like Chandoli, Koyna is part of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.<ref name="DNAIndia 06-2018">{{cite news |last=Kulkarni |first=Dhaval |title=Sahyadri Tiger Reserve camera traps evidence of tigers first time in 8 years |publisher=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA India]] |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-sahyadri-tiger-reserve-camera-traps-evidence-of-tigers-first-time-in-8-years-2629246 |date=2018-06-26 |access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>

The average altitude is {{convert|897|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The mean annual rainfall is {{convert|5500|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="MFD">{{cite web |url=http://www.mahaforest.nic.in/sanctuary_detail.php?sat_id=26&sid=33 |title=Koyana, Satara. |publisher=Maharashtra State Forest Dept. |access-date=2012-03-07 |work=Wildlife Sanctuaries in Maharashtra }}</ref>

==Flora==
The sanctuary has dense forests with three major sections, Vasota, Maharkhor and Indavli Met, and is endowed with natural protective boundaries, with [[Shivsagar Lake]] on one side, and the slopes of the Western Ghats on both sides. These geographic barriers have enabled the emergence of a wide variety of flora and fauna and high [[biodiversity]] in the sanctuary. Due to the wide range of elevations in the sanctuary, the [[ecoregion]]s in the sanctuary include [[North Western Ghats montane rain forests]] above {{convert|1000|m|abbr=on}} and [[North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]] below. Dominant species are anjani, jambul, hirda, awala, pisa, ain, kinjal, amba, kumbha, bhoma, chandala, katak, nana, umbra, jambha, gela and bibba. Karvi is found almost all over the area. Climbers such as shikekai, garambi are common. Some of the [[threatened species]] of trees found in the sanctuary are ''dhup'' ([[Boswellia serrata|Indian frankincense]]), [[longan]], and ''[[Elaeocarpus]]'' spp. Shrubs and medicinal plants such as karvand, agati, ranmiri, tamalpati, toran, dhayati, kadipatta, narkya and murudsheng, along with a small quantity of bamboo are also found. A large number of ephemeral bulbs of seasonal plants are found.<ref name="MFD"/>

==Fauna==
The sanctuary has a diverse variety of [[mammal]]s including the [[keystone species]], [[Bengal tiger]]s (>6). Also, [[Indian leopard]]s (14), [[gaur|Indian gaur]] (220-250), [[sloth bear]]s (70-80), [[sambar deer]] (160-175), [[barking deer]] (180-200) and [[mouse deer]], common [[gray langur]]s, [[smooth-coated otter]]s and [[Indian giant squirrel]]s are common. Many species of birds are found in the sanctuary including the distinctive [[heart-spotted woodpecker]], [[rufous woodpecker]], and [[brown-capped pygmy woodpecker]], [[Asian fairy bluebird]], [[Malabar pied hornbill]], [[long-tailed nightjar]] and [[crested goshawk]]. Large [[Indian python]]s and [[Spectacled cobra]]s are found here. An [[Endemism|endemic]] Toad ''[[Bufo koyanansis]]'' has its only habitat in this protected area.<ref name="MFD"/>

==Threats==
The sanctuary now has 215 [[Wind turbine|windmills]] and 10 tourist resorts. An earthen dam is under construction and many trees have been felled. Land inside the sanctuary has been sold. More than 900 land deals have been finalised since 1985.<ref name="DE">{{cite web |url=http://www.downtoearth.org.in/node/32916 |title=Koyna sanctuary plundered |author1=Kumar Sambhav Shrivastava |author2=Garima Goel |publisher=[[Down to Earth (magazine)|Down To Earth]] |access-date=2012-03-07 |work=Down to Earth |date=2011-01-31}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode = packed heights = 200px>
File:Koyna-Dam2.jpg |Koyna Dam and Reservoir
File:Shivasagar.jpg |[[Shivsagar Lake]]
File:Malabar Giant Squirrel-Dogra.jpg |[[Indian giant squirrel]]
</gallery>

==See also==

* [[Koyna Hydroelectric Project]]
* [[Vashishti River]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Koyna-Wildlife-Sanctuary-25233.htm Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary]

{{Tiger Reserves Of India}}
{{Maharashtra}}
{{Satara district topics}}

[[Category:North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:North Western Ghats montane rain forests]]
[[Category:Tiger reserves of India]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Satara district]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1985]]

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 09:13, 14 August 2023