Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary: Narmada Forest Ecology

Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Narmada district covers 607 sq km of hilly tropical moist deciduous forest in the Satpura-Aravalli transition zone. The sanctuary is named after the Shoolpaneshwar Mahadev temple, one of the 108 Shiva lingas of Gujarat, located on the Narmada riverbank. The forest supports leopard, sloth bear, wolf, hyena, and numerous deer species. The Narmada river gorge within the sanctuary is rich in aquatic biodiversity including mahseer, gharial (in some stretches), and smooth-coated otters. Tribal communities (Vasava, Tadvi, Rathwa) who have lived in and around the sanctuary practice traditional collection of tendu leaves, mahua flowers, aonla fruits, and honey. The sanctuary's status constrains tribal livelihoods, creating ongoing tension between wildlife conservation and forest community rights under the Forest Rights Act.