Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary, Chittorgarh

Entry: Paid

Not Allowed: Pets

Good for : Nature Lovers, Photo Fanatics, Experience Seekers

Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over a wide region on the Malwa Plateau and Aravalli mountains. This sanctuary houses a number of animals and birds and is known for the forests of teak, bamboo, tendu, amla and salar.

Three rivers of which Jakham and Karmoi are famous pass through these areas. Jakham dam is a site for picnickers and the water is used for irrigation.

Animals like flying squirrel, spotted deer, wild bear, four horned antelope, nilgai, jungle cat, jackal, hyena, etc can be spotted here. Some less common varieties such as caracal wild boar, leopards, wild pangolin, etc can also be seen in this sanctuary. Due to the shedding of leaves in February and March, spotting the animals is easy.

It is believed that Lord Rama’s wife Sita, stayed in this forest in the ashram of Saint Valmiki, hence the name Sitamata.

Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls over the Aravalli Mountains and the Malwa Plateau. The sanctuary is filled with thick deciduous forests, which happen to be the only forests with such a large number of teak trees. Besides bamboo, salar, amla and bel, almost half of the trees are teak trees. The rivers such as Jakham and Karmoi pass through the sanctuary. There is a dam built over the Jakham River, which caters to the irrigation needs of the natives. Animals like leopards, hyenas, jackals, wildcats, porcupines, spotted deer, bears, and four horned antelopes can be sighted inside the sanctuary. Flying squirrel, an interesting nocturnal creature can be seen gliding between the trees at night.This place also holds mythological importance as it is believed that Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, stayed in Saint Valmiki's Ashram here during her exile.