ClaudiaChilds56 at 07:46, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T07:46:56Z

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{{Short description|Protected area in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = IV
| image = Map of Lonar Sanctuary.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_size =
| map = India Maharashtra#India
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| location = [[Buldhana district]], Maharashtra, India
| nearest_city = [[Aurangabad]] and [[Jalna, Maharashtra|Jalna]]
| coordinates = {{coord|19|58|30|N|76|30|27|E|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|365.16|ha}}
| established = 2008
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Maharashtra State Forest Department
| url =
}}
The '''Lona Wildlife Sanctuary''' is situated around a lagoon called [[Lonar Lake]], which was created by a meteorite impact about 50,000 years ago.<ref name="Buldhana">{{cite web |title=Lonar Crater Lake |url=https://buldhana.nic.in/en/tourist-place/lonar-crater/ |website=buldhana.nic.in |publisher=Buldhana District administration |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref> The diameter of the Lonar lake is 1.83 km.<ref name="ENVIS">{{cite book |last1=ENVIS |title=Lonar Crater |date=June 2011 |publisher=Environment Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra |location=Mumbai |url=http://www.mahenvis.nic.in/pdf/Newsletter/nletter_crater.pdf |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref> This sanctuary located in Lonar taluka of [[Buldhana district]] of Maharashtra. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 365.16 Hectares . It includes the 77.69 Ha Lonar lake. The forest around the lake is mainly Southern Tropical dry Deciduous Forest.<ref name="ENVIS" /> In 2020 the Lonar lake was declared as [[Ramsar site]].<ref name="HT">{{cite news |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Badri |title=Lonar Lake in Buldhana district declared Ramsar site, second for Maharashtra within a year |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/lonar-lake-in-buldhana-district-declared-ramsar-site-second-for-maharashtra-within-a-year/story-XLBrbNADwhPuAX0KHZdo0N.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 November 2020}}</ref> The foul smell of [[hydrogen sulfide]] gas is common near the lake water.<ref name="ZSI" />

==Location==
The nearest rail head is Jalna Town of Maharashtra state which is 84 km from the sanctuary. Regular buses are available from Partur and Jalna Bus Stand. The sanctuary is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset. There are many hotels and resorts located near Lonar town.

==Management==
The Lonar sanctuary is a part of Aurangabad Wildlife Division. The sanctuary is managed by Mehkar Forest Range. The sanctuary was notified by Govt. of Maharashtra on 8 June 2000.

==Flora==
The trees growing in the sanctuary are ''[[Acacia nilotica]]'' (Babhul), ''[[Ficus glomerata]]'' (Umbar), ''[[Terminalia arjuna]]'' (Arjun), [[Tendu (tree)|Tendu]], ''[[Syzygium cumini]]'' (Jamun), ''[[Ficus benghalensis]]'' (Vad), ''[[Dolichandrone falcata|Dolichandrone falcat]]a'' (Medshing).<ref name="ZSI">{{cite book |last1=Director |first1=ZSI |title=Fauna of Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary |date=December 2008 |publisher=Zoological Survey of India |location=Kolkata |edition=First |url=http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/cas/037/index.pdf |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref> There are 14 types of algae reported from the lake which mostly include [[blue-green Algae]].

==Fauna==
The migratory birds flock to the lake from October to March every year. The common animals found in the sanctuary are [[Sloth bear]], [[Nilgai]], [[Wolf]], [[Chital]] and [[Barking Deer]]. There are 12 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles are found in the sanctuary.<ref name="ZSI" />

==Tourist places==
The major tourist place is Lonar Lake. There are about 1250 ancient temples around the Lonar Lake.<ref name="Buldhana" /> In July 2020 the colour of the Lake turned pink which was due to [[Haloarchaea]] bacteria culture that creates pink pigment and exists in saline water.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news |title=Scientists reveal why Lonar Lake in Maharashtra turned pink in colour |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/scientists-reveal-why-lonar-lake-in-maharashtra-turned-pink-in-colour/as77120314.cms |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Times of India |date=23 July 2020}}</ref>

==Threats==
The sewage from the nearby town is main threat.<ref name="HT" /> The other threats include forest fires, encroachment, hunting and trespassing. The littering of the lake by the pilgrims is a major threat to the ecosystem.<ref name="ZSI" /> The continued flow of contaminations in the water of lake is causing [[eutrophication]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Maharashtra]]

Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

ClaudiaChilds56 at 07:46, 26 February 2026