Radhanagari wildlife sanctuary is located in the catchments areas of the
two major reservoirs namely Rajarshi Shahu Sagar and Laxmi Sagar in Kolhapur
district of Maharashtra State. The first wildlife sanctuary of the state,
it was constituted in 1958 for the protection of wildlife.
The sanctuary lies at the southern end of the Sahyadri
sub-cluster. Popularly known as "Bison Sanctuary", the sanctuary
is home to the Indian Bison or gaur. Covering an area of 351.16 sq.km,
it's terrain is undulating with steep escarpments. Four major rivers Bhogavati,
Dudhganga, Tulshi, Kallamma and Dirba drain this area and flow into the
Krishna river, a major river of the Deccan Peninsula. The Randhanagari
Dam is a famous tourist spot here.
Flora
Most of the area is dense 'semi evergreen forest', southern
moist mixed deciduous forest, southern evergreen forest with wide range
of flora. The density of the forest crop in the sanctuary is between 0.4
to 0.9 and the forest at Kaladung and Patycha Dang are having crop density
more than 0.9.
The main flora being Anjani, Jambul, Hirda, Awala, Pisa,
Ain, Kinjal, Amba, Kumbha, Bhoma, Chandala, Katak, Nana, Umbar, Jambha,
Gela, Bibba etc.. Karvi is more abundantly seen in all over the area.
Climbers such as Shikekai, Garambi are quite frequent. Shrubs species
and Medicinal plants such as Karvand, Vagati, Ranmiri, Tamalpati, Toran,
Dhayati, Kadipatta, Narkya, Murudsheng, etc. with small quantity of Bamboo
are also found A large numbers of ephemerals, bulbs of seasonal plants
are also found in this sanctuary.
Fauna
Bison, the tallest and the most splendid of living wild
oxen is the star attractions of Radhanagari wildlife sanctuary. Few other
animals have the combination of bucolic charm and great-muscled power
of the gaur. The herbivores include Sambhar, Chausinga, Jackal, Hyaena,
Leopard, Sloth bear, Barking deer, Spotted Deer, Common Langur, Wild boar,
Porcupine Hare, Giant squirrel, Wild dogs can be seen in Radhanagari.
The forests here are home to reptiles like Cobra, Python,
Monitor Lizzard, Rat sanke etc. The wilderness of sanctuary offers an
ideal habitat for a number of avian fauna such as vultures eagles, Jungle
fowl, Quails, Plovers, Sand pipers, Owlets, Doves, Owls, Nightjars, Kingfishers,
Bee-eater, Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Bulbul, Flycatchers, Warblers, Wagtails,
Sunbirds etc.
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Wildlife 
