This is a travel guide to Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Nainital. So, if you are planning to visit Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, this guide might be helpful for you.
1. Basic Information About Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Nainital
| Location | Ramnagar, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 244715 |
| Area | 301.18 Square km |
| Opening hours | 7:00 Am – 5:30 PM |
| Entry Fee | Paid (100 INR – 200 INR) |
| Famous For | Corbett Museum, Garjiya Devi temple, Safari, Wild Life Tourism |
Are you in a hurry? Check Out the given story.
The Sonanadi Nature Reserve is ensconced within the magnificent Jim Corbett National Park and is close to the grandiose Rajaji National Park.
The Sonanadi River, which flows through this region, literally means “river of gold” since gold dredging activities were historically conducted there, giving rise to the sanctuary’s title. Later, the site was transformed into a refuge and is now managed by India’s Project Tiger.
The sanctuary, which covers a wide expanse of 301.18 square kilometers and is located in the Terai Biotic region of the Shiwaliks, is teeming with lush trees. The primary plant life in these woods includes wood trees; Semal; Sheesham; Jamun; figs; Aonla; and Sal.
The Mandal and Palain rivers provide this region with the necessary minerals and feed the local aquatic life. The Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known tourist spot in Nainital and ought to be on your list of must-see locations.
Both the Domunda Tourist Industry Zone of something like the Corbett Tiger Conservancy and the Sonanadi Nature Reserve in the area have FRHs (Forest Rest Houses). The Vatanvasa gate leads to Halduparao, the sole FRH inside the Sonanadi Sanctuary.
On the outskirts of the Sonanadi Sanctuary, the FRHs of Morghatti & Pakhro are accessible via Kalagarh & Kotdwar.
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2. History of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Nainital
This is a fantastic location for those seeking the hug of nature and nirvana, complete with the sound of birds singing and a sense of peaceful cohabitation with the wildlife.
The Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary was established on January 9th, 1987. It is fundamentally connected to “Project Tiger,” which was started in the year 1973.
Additionally, Sonanadi Nature Reserve and Jim Corbett Natural Park are the sites of the second-largest leopard and tiger populations on the planet.
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3. What to see and do in Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
1. Flora
The Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary has a diverse range of plants, bushes, and flowers that live there, making it rich in flora.
The sanctuary’s plant life includes varieties of figs, Jamun, Kanthber, Sal, Bakli, Sheesham, Aonla, Semal, and many medicinal herbs. Some threatened shrub and herb varieties can be found there as well.
2. Fauna
If you are a wildlife fan, you should not skip this location. Sonanadi, which has a large
number of animal species is home to 150 distinct kinds of birds or around 6% of all bird
species. Thrushes, Pheasants, Warblers, Flycatchers, Hornbills, Wallcreepers,
Changeable Hawk Eagles, Emerald Doves, Himalayan Crested Vultures, Falcons, and Brown
Fish Owls are among the creatures of the fauna family that call this park home.
3. Photography
If you are a big fan of clicking pictures and posing, then this place will be the best for you. You’ll love the scenic view of this place, which will make you feel comfortable.
4. Leisure
This place is not only a place to see a variety of flora and fauna, but you can also spend a lot of family time here. People visit this place and enjoy leisure time with their family and friends.
5. Jungle Safari
Sonanadi’s jungle may be experienced on a 3-hour safari. The area is well-known for its
tigers, elephants, leopards, and other exotic wildlife. Jeep safaris are the primary means of
transportation within the reserve.
One thing to keep in mind while planning a journey to the Tiger Reserve is that personal cars are not permitted somewhere within the nature reserve.
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4. Interesting facts about Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary Nainital
- Shiwalik Terai’s excellent woods, covering 301.18 sq km, are the home of Sonanadi Sanctuary.
- The name Sonanadi means “river of gold” in Arabic.
- Before the area was designated as a reserve, gold mining took place in the river.
- The sanctuaries’ perennial waterways are the Palain as well as the Mandal.
- It was formerly separated from the Kalagarh East District.
- In 1991, it was included in Operation Tiger’s purview and joined the Corbett Tiger Conservation as well as Operation Elephants.
- The sanctuary is devoid of communities.
- Sonanadi’s woodlands are notable for their abundant bamboo clusters and thick sal, among other species, and are filled with animals.
- The Sonanadi Nature Reserve, which is a component of Corbett National Park, is where Sonanadi Mountain is situated.
- Over 550 different bird species may be seen by visitors in their native surroundings.
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5. Best Time to Visit Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary Nainital
Because the magnificent Asiatic Elephant visits this area between November and February to enjoy the rainstorm, these are the best months to visit the Sonanadi Wildlife Reserve.
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6. How to Reach Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Nainital?
Because of its size, the Sonanadi Nature Reserve may be reached from many points inside the Jim Wildlife Sanctuary, including Vatanvasa Gateway, Kalagarh, and Kotdwar.
Jim Corbett National Park is easily accessible thanks to its excellent connectivity to other national highways and major highways.
1. By Road
Indian and international tourists alike frequently visit Jim Corbett National Park. Major Indian towns and the state forest are well interconnected by cable car highways. From major towns, there are several cabs that go to Nainital and Jim Corbett Nature Reserve.
2. By Rail
Jim Corbett Park is located 5 kilometers from the closest railroad station, Ramnagar if you’re taking the train. Important cities throughout India and Uttarakhand are easily accessible by road access from Ramnagar Metro Station.
Many trains from around the nation travel via Ramnagar, which serves as one of the sites when trains depart towards Nainital. By using a private cab or auto-rickshaw, you may travel from the train station to the Jim Corbett Wildlife Monument.
3. By Air
The closest airport, located around 80 kilometers from Jim Corbett National Park, is Pantnagar Airport. There are several taxis that run between the airport and the nature reserve. For further connections, there are several regular flights connecting Delhi to Pantnagar.
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7. Why is Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Nainital famous?
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sona Nadi Nature Reserve or simply Sonandai, is an important wildlife reserve located between the two well-known nature reserves of Chiltern and Rajaji in the Uttarakhand region of India.
It spans a territory of 301 square kilometers. It has gained popularity as a tourist destination because of its diverse vegetation and animals, which thrive particularly well to the north of the Sonanadi Stream.
The Asiatic elephant, as well as the tiger, cheetah, sambhar, panther, and snakes, love to hang out in this area. At Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, visitors may see more than 150 different kinds of birds in their native surroundings.
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FAQs – Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary Travel Guide
1. Where is Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Sonanadi Sanctuary is located in the Jim Corbett, Ramnagar district of Uttarakhand.
2. Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over how much area?
Sonanadi Wildlife occupies an area of 301.18 square km which consists of dense forests in the Terai Biotic province of Shiwaliks.
3. Is there any entry fee to Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary?
There is an entry fee to access the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
4. What is the timing for the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary?
In winter, it opens at 7:00 Am and closes at 5:30 PM while in summer, it opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 6:30 PM.
5. What are the tourist attractions around Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary?
Corbett National Park, Corbett Museum, Corbett Falls, and Garjiya Devi Temple are some of the best tourist attractions near the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.