Karhandla Gate - Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary / umred pauni karhandla Gothangao Wild Life Sanctuary

 Karhandla Gate - Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary / umred pauni karhandla Gothangao Wild Life Sanctuary (commonly known as Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary) — a major wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra, India, spanning parts of Bhandara and Nagpur districts. It’s an important protected area connecting several tiger landscapes in central India.

Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located approximately 50 to 58 kilometers from Nagpur in the Nagpur and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra, India. It spans an area of about 189 square kilometers (73 sq mi), covering Pauni Tahsil in Bhandara district and Umred, Kuhi, and Bhivapur Talukas in Nagpur district. The sanctuary was established in 2013 and is bounded by the Wainganga River and Gose Khurd Dam to the northeast, State Highway 9 and Bhiwapur Town to the south, Umred to the west, and a narrow 10 km long range of hills (600–800 m elevation) to the northwest.

The sanctuary is ecologically significant due to its connectivity with the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve via forest corridors along the Wainganga River, enhancing regional biodiversity and wildlife conservation. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, dholes (wild dogs), sloth bears, gaur, nilgai, sambar, and other deer species. The sanctuary also hosts over 90 bird species, including migratory and endangered birds, and more than 26 reptile species, six of which are endangered, such as the Indian cobra, Russell's viper, and Indian rock python

A major factor contributing to the sanctuary’s rising popularity is the presence of the iconic male tiger named Jai, who migrated over 130 km from Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and became a symbol of the region’s growing tiger population. Jai, admired as one of the largest and most handsome tigers in India, has drawn significant tourist interest, making Umred Karhandla one of the most visited tiger safari destinations near Nagpur. The sanctuary is also known for rare species like flying squirrels, pangolins, and honey badgers.

Visitors can access the sanctuary through multiple gates, including Kharandla, Pauni, and Gothangaon Gates. The sanctuary is closed on Mondays and remains shut during the monsoon season. The peak tourist season runs from October 15 to June 30, with winter and summer being particularly favorable for wildlife viewing. The nearest airport is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, about 11 km away, and the nearest railway station is Nagpur Railway Station, approximately a 1.5-hour drive.

The sanctuary features dry tropical deciduous forests, with teak trees comprising up to 60% of the forest composition, along with associated species like Dhaoda, Ain, and Tendu. Conservation efforts, including water management programs by the Wildlife Trust of India, support the sanctuary’s ecological balance.