Sonanadi range is located in Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary which is a part of Corbett National Park. Developed as a natural habitat of wildlife animals and birds, Sonanadi range is blessed with amazing beauty of flora and fauna.Situated in the north of Sonanadi river, this zone is favoruite place for Asiatic Elephant along with tiger, cheetal, sambhar, leopard and reptiles. Visitors can also enjoy over 550 of birds in their natural habitat.
Lohachaur, Rithuadhab and Halduparao are some Forest Rest Houses in Sonanadi range available for night stay. Safari options like Jeep and elephant are available to enjoy wildlife at Sonanadi Range. Tourists are advised to pre-book entry ticket for a Safari in Sonanadi Zone. One can pre-book entry tickets from Ramnagar office. Sonanadi Zone is open for visitors from 15 October to 15 June and closed for monsoon. There are several safaris operated during a day in Sonanadi zone.
Sonanadi Sanctuary is spread over 301.18 sqkm of prime forests of the Shiwalik Terai biotic province. Sonanadi literally means the river of gold. Gold panning used to be carried out in the river before the area became a sanctuary. The Palain and the Mandal are the perennial streams of the sanctuary. Historically, it was carved out of Kalagarh Forest Division. It was brought under the umbrella of Project Tiger and became a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in 1991 and also a part of Project Elephant. There are no villages inside the sanctuary. The forests of Sonanadi are remarkable for dense sal and rich bamboo clusters besides other species and is teeming with wildlife.

Accommodation

Forest Rest Houses are available a Halduparao at Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary located between the rivers Palain and Sonanadi, Loha chaur and Rathuadhab.

Lohachaur Forest Lodge:

This lodging is located in the northern part of the reserve of tigers of Corbett RF buffer zone. It is located on banks of the Mandal river upstream of its confluence with Ramganga.You can get access from Durga Devi gate.

Rathuadhap Forest Lodge:

Rathuadhap is one of the famous place for the elephants in Jim Corbett National Park. It is located in the north of the buffer; Rathuadhap is on the forest road connecting Durga Devi in the east and towards Vatanvasa in west.

Halduparao Forest Lodge:

Halduparao rest house is one of the oldest rest houses. It was built hundred years ago. It is placed between the Palain and Sonanadi rivers just before they meet into Ramganga reservoir. Halduparao is the best destination to watch wild elephants during summer season.

Attractions:-

Jungle Safari

The visitors can go for an Elephant Safari or Jeep Safari. Both facilities are provided in the Sanctuary. Prior bookings are required for Jeep safari. Tourists can also go for a forest trail with armed guard. This can prove to be real thrilling experience of a life time. Sanctuary is located near Corbett National Park, and tourists can expect to see Asiatic Elephants, Tigers and many other species in their natural Habitat.

Chaurs (Grass Lands)

A vast Laldhang chaur is the main attraction of this zone. The grassland is often seen packed with elephants and Deer. Several wild pigs and Neelgai can also be seen here. The area is also a very sought after place for visitors interested in grassland birds.

Flora & Founa

The Wildlife reserve is the shelter to about 600 types of resident and migratory birds. The diversity of avifauna in Sonanadi Sanctuary represents approximately 6% of the total bird species in the world. The profuse gathering of bird species in the sanctuary offers a prospect to view 150 species of birds in a limited visit in Sonanadi Sanctuary. The kinds of Birds normally seen here are, Thrushes, Pheasants, Hornbills, Warblers, Flycatchers, Wall Creeper, Changeable Hawk Eagle, emerald Dove, Himalayan Bearded Vulture, Falcon, Brown Fish Owls, etc.
Mammals found in the wildlife sanctuary are Leopard, Sambhar, Cheetal, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Goral, Otter, Porcupine, Yellow-Throated Marten and Sloth Bear. The giants like Elephants and Tigers are favorites among the visitors. A large display of reptiles like Python, Monitor Lizard, King Cobra, Different kind of Turtles, Gharials, Mugger, Mahaseer, and Indian Trout etc.
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is blessed with a surprise package loaded with various faunas, when it comes to the fauna part. The sanctuary is match with the typical North Indian tropical forests.
The plant life of the sanctuary is rich in different species of Sal, Sheesham, Semal, Bakli, Aonla, Jamun, Kanthber, Figs and along with medicinal plants and some endangered species of Herbs and Shrubs.
Corbett National Park and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary together comprise the Corbett Tiger Reserve which hosts the second largest population of Tiger-Panther Tigris in the world. The rare sightings of Himalayan Black Bear and Albino Cheetal are also recorded in Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.

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