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Radhanagari wildlife sanctuary is located in the between the areas of the major reservoirs viz. "Shahu Sagar"and "Laxmi sagar" in Kolhapur district. It covers an area 351.16-sq-km. The entire protected area is undulating with steep escarpments. The soil is reddish and lateritic. High percentage of bauxite ore is found in Plateaus or "Sadas".
The important kinds of forests found are " Southern
semi evergreen forest", " Southern Moist Mixed deciduous forest"
and " Southern evergreen forest". The density of the forest crop
in this area is between 0.4 to 0.9. The main species found over here are
Anjani, Jambul, Hirda, Awala, Pisa, Ain, Kinjal, Amba, Kumbha, Bhoma,
Chandala, Katak, Nana, Umbar, Jambha, Gela, Bibba, etc.
One can find Karvi almost all over the area. Climbers such as Shikekai,
Garambi are quite frequently seen over here. Karvand, Vagati, Ranmiri,
Tamalpati, Toran, Dhayati, Kadipatta, Narkya, Murudsheng, are few shrubs
species and Medicinal plants found in the forest. Small quantity of Bamboo
is also found and quite a large numbers of ephemerals, bulbs of seasonal
plants are also found here.
It is well known for Bison (500), which is the tallest and
the most splendid of living Wild Oxen. Tourists can spot bull and calf
running with its mother or a large herd grazing in the jungles, which is a
treat to the eyes and one can recall with delight years later. Other
animals, sheltered in the sanctuary are Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild Boar,
Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Sambar, Giant Squirrel, Wild Dogs, counted among
some of the major animals found in the protected area.
Many
types of Reptiles, amphibians and bird species such as Vultures, Eagles,
Jungle Fowl, Quails, Plovers, Sand Pipers, Owlets, Doves, Owls, Nightjars,
Kingfishers, Bee-eater, Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Bulbul, Flycatchers,
Warblers, Wagtails, and Sunbirds are also commonly seen over here.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Kolhapur, which is 65-km away from this place.
Rail: There is railway station at Kolhapur, which is 55-km away
from the sanctuary.
Road: Radhanagari is 55-km from Kolhapur on Kolhapur-Deogarh state
highway. Regular bus services are available.
Government Rest Houses are available for accommodation at Radhanagari and Dajipur.