The short answer
Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
Only for dedicated birders, and only with local confirmation. The sanctuary exists to protect the lesser florican, a rare monsoon breeder whose numbers here have been uncertain. Sightings are never guaranteed, facilities are not published, and the sanctuary was sharply reduced in 2025, so contact the forest office first.
History and context
The story behind Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Sardarpur was notified as a sanctuary in 1983 and originally covered about 348 sq km. A 2025 reorganisation denotified most of the former revenue land, leaving a protected area of about 16.82 sq km.
Sightings of the lesser florican were rare for much of the 2010s. In 2018 the forest department planted moong and urad pulses on about 30 hectares, and floricans reappeared in the monsoon. Its present status in the area is uncertain.
Useful facts
Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- West of Dhar town, Dhar district
- Experience type
- Seasonal grassland bird sanctuary
- Known for
- Lesser florican (kharmor), a critically endangered grassland bird
- Established
- Notified in 1983; reorganised in 2025
- Time or schedule
- Monsoon, roughly July to October; access rules are not published
Why it matters
Why Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
The lesser florican is among India's most threatened birds, and its breeding grounds are small, scattered patches of grassland. Sardarpur was set aside in 1983, after the ornithologist Salim Ali identified it as ideal habitat for grassland birds, and it remains one of the sites the species relies on in central India. Its story is a reminder that ordinary-looking grassland can hold rare wildlife.
The sanctuary's fortunes have changed. Florican sightings fell away sharply in the 2010s, then recovered briefly after the forest department planted unsprayed pulse crops in 2018, drawing insects the birds feed on. In 2025 the protected area was reorganised and most former revenue land was denotified, leaving a much smaller sanctuary. Visitors should come with modest expectations and a conservation mindset.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Lesser florican
A critically endangered bustard that breeds here in the monsoon; males perform a jumping display.
- 02
Open grassland
Treeless Sehima and Chrysopogon grass is the habitat the species depends on.
- 03
Conservation story
Pulse-crop plantings in 2018 are one example of the forest department trying to rebuild bird numbers.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat Sardarpur as a specialist birding outing, not a standard sightseeing stop. The sanctuary protects open grassland, where the lesser florican arrives with the monsoon to breed, typically from July to October. The male is known for a jumping display above the grass, which is the moment birders hope for. Because the bird is so scarce, seeing one is a matter of luck, timing and local guidance.
Plan it through the forest department rather than turning up. Ask the Dhar forest division office whether visitors are currently allowed, where access points are, whether a staff member can accompany you, and what the monsoon road conditions are like. Go early in the morning, bring binoculars, rain gear and water, and be ready to leave if tracks are flooded. Other grassland species may be seen even when floricans are not.
Base yourself in Dhar and treat the day as a round trip. Pair it with a quiet afternoon in town rather than another long drive, since the roads are slow in the rains.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Contact the Dhar forest division office before you set out
- Ask whether visitors are currently permitted and where
- Travel in a high-clearance vehicle in the rains
- Carry rain gear, binoculars, water and snacks
- Do not walk into grassland where staff ask you not to
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- West of Dhar, Dhar district; roughly 45-60 km by road, confirm locally
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day, including travel
- Best time
- Monsoon, roughly July to October, when the florican breeds
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- This is open grassland with rough tracks, little shade and no published visitor facilities. In the monsoon the ground is wet and the roads can be poor. It suits fit travellers with their own vehicle; it is not an easy outing for people who tire in heat or damp.
- Tickets and access
- Entry rules, permits, fees and any guide arrangements are not published; confirm with the Dhar forest division office before travelling. Do not enter protected grassland without permission, and keep to any paths the staff indicate.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is open grassland with rough tracks, little shade and no published visitor facilities. In the monsoon the ground is wet and the roads can be poor. It suits fit travellers with their own vehicle; it is not an easy outing for people who tire in heat or damp.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
When is the lesser florican at Sardarpur?
It is a monsoon breeder, usually present from about July to October. Sightings vary greatly from year to year.
Is Sardarpur open to visitors?
No visitor system is published. Ask the Dhar forest division office whether access is allowed and under what conditions before you travel.
Is it suitable for seniors?
Generally not. Tracks are rough, shade is scarce and the monsoon brings mud and flooding. Seniors with a strong interest in birds should go only with a guide and a comfortable vehicle.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- India's Endangered: 7 pairs of lesser florican seen in MP sanctuary
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
