Flora of the Aravallis

  • Tropical dry deciduous forests dominated by Dhok (Anogeissus pendula), Khair (Acacia catechu), and Salar (Boswellia serrata)

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Located in Rajsamand District, Rajasthan in the Aravalli Range
  • Recently declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone with total ban on mining and stone quarrying across 243 sq km
  • Serves as vital ecological buffer for Kumbhalgarh Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Rana Kumbha)
  • Acts as a green corridor between Udaipur and Jodhpur

Periyar Tiger Reserve

  • Located in Kerala; one of the largest contiguous evergreen and semi-evergreen forest blocks in southern India
  • Hosts: 40-45 tigers, nearly 1,000 elephants, over 2,000 flowering plant species, 300 bird species

UPSC Angle

  • GS1: Geography (Aravallis)
  • GS3: Biodiversity, protected areas, eco-sensitive zones

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Kumbhalgarh WLS:

  • Location: Rajsamand, Rajasthan (Aravalli Range)
  • Area declared ESZ: 243 sq km
  • Fort: Kumbhalgarh (UNESCO WHS, built by Rana Kumbha)
  • Corridor function: Udaipur-Jodhpur green link

Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala):

  • Tigers: 40-45; Elephants: ~1,000
  • Flowering plants: 2,000+ species; Birds: 300 species

Aravalli Flora:

  • Dhok (Anogeissus pendula), Khair (Acacia catechu), Salar (Boswellia serrata)