A rare striated grassbird was recently recorded in Chaprala wildlife sanctuary in Gadchiroli district, marking a major range extension for the species in Maharashtra.
About Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
Established in 1986, it covers an area of approximately 134.78 sq.km.
The Markhanda and Pedigundam hills flank the sanctuary from northeast and south, and the Pranhita River flows along its western boundary.
It is located on the bank of the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers
During the monsoons, river water swells and enters the sanctuary.
Additionally, several water bodies, including the Murgikunta, Raikonta, and Komatkunta tanks, further contribute to the sanctuary’s biodiversity
Vegetation: It is dominated by southern tropical dry deciduous forests interspersed with grasslands.
Flora: The dominant tree species include teak, Arjun, salai, mahua, bel, dhawada, tendu, sissoo, and semal.
Fauna:
It is inhabited by Tiger, Leopard, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Wild dogs, Langurs, Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Jackal, Mongoose, etc.
The sanctuary also features a distinctive riparian ecosystem that supports a diverse aquatic fauna, including fish, prawns, and turtles.
Key Facts about Striped Grassbird
It is a species of bird in the Locustellidae family.
Scientific Name: Megalurus palustris
Distribution: It is widely found across South and Southeast Asia, including China, India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Features:
It has a large body size of 22-28 cm with a body weight of about 38-56 g
The upper body is light reddish brown
There are thick black streaks on the back and wing covers
Dark yellow eyebrows
The tail is elongated and sharp
Lower body whitish, black streaks on chest
Iris brown, upper beak black, underside pink, and feet pink.
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Least Concern
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
