Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Maharashtra

Maharashtra is one of the most popular states in India which is located in the western peninsular location. It is a state known for being one of the country’s richest states in terms of wildlife. Maharashtra is famous for its top most famous wildlife sanctuaries. Owing to its fair share of lush greens and thick jungles with ample amounts of water resources, it is home to dense and breathtaking wildlife sanctuaries. 

Here are the Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary

Gautala wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. It is a protected wildlife reserve close to the village of Gautala withinside the state of Maharashtra. 

The sanctuary is named after its neighboring village Gautala and is a beautiful shelter for lots of animals, reptiles, and birds alike. It is a south tropical dry deciduous forest within the Western Ghats with differing terrains. 

The sanctuary is located amidst dense foliage and tremendous grasslands with a thriving population of flora that provides nourishment to a multitude of animal species. 

The visitors can explore an area of around 26061 hectares, witnessing greater than 260 species of birds including jungle fowl, partridges, and quail together with some of reptiles, and mammals like a jungle cat, barking deer, jackal, hares, foxes, wolves, and bats.

 The sanctuary is laden with waterfalls and several clean water-our bodies that are located in abundance, especially during the monsoon months. Amongst waterfalls, another source of water in the sanctuary is Gautala Talab, which is a lake situated inside the sanctuary.

 The months among January and March are the most ideal time to visit the Sanctuary. Moreover it is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary

Nagzira wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. This sanctuary is locked in the arms of nature and adorned with picturesque landscapes, and luxuriant vegetation and serves as a living outdoor museum to explore and appreciate nature. The name Nagzira came from the ‘Nag’ temple of Mahadeva that’s in the middle of the sanctuary.

 One can find mammals, birds, and different other invertebrates in the sanctuary. The vertebrate fauna includes, besides a number of fishes, about 34 species of mammals, about 166 species of birds along with migratory land and water birds, about 36 species of reptiles, and about 4 species of amphibia.

 Large wild mammals present here consist of the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, sambar, nilgai, chital, wild boar, sloth bear, Indian muntjac, Indian noticed chevrotain, and dhole. Also, as many as 15 species of migratory birds and about 42 species of nearby migrants are reported.

 One remarkable bird, the bar-headed goose, is a winter migrant from Ladakh and Tibet. From them, the Nagzira Wildlife sanctuary is famous for sambar, wild dog, mouse deer, and many different forms of the wildlife and it’s miles one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. 

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

BhimaShankar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.  It is set in the Ambegaon and Khed talukas of Pune and is said to be one of the best-protected habitats of the Indian Giant Squirrel which is the state animal of Maharashtra. The sanctuary spreads over a place of around 131 km2 One also can see the famous Jyotirlinga temple of the god Shiva.

 This said wildlife sanctuary has to be a very nice biodiversity hotspot in India and there are a wide variety of species that may be seen and witnessed in its vicinity. A beautiful version of the jungle, the park elopes in the Western Ghat mountain variety and features a waterfall and various water bodies, which obviously makes it a must-visit for trekkers. The natural vegetation of the place is mostly Southern tropical semi-evergreen. 

There are various types of bushes, plants, herbs, shrubs, etc. found here. Some of the chief trees seen here are Mango, Hilda, Bamboo, Jamun, Behda, etc. With such lush flora and the presence of water bodies, here one also can spot endangered species like Greater Spotted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Jerdon’s Baza, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Small Sunbird, and Southern Tree Pie.

 Also, a good variety of animals may be spotted in the park like barking deer, leopards, wild boar, sambar, hyena, and langur. Though it’s a year-round destination, the best time to go to Bhimashankar Wildlife Reserve is the winters from October to February when one can enjoy this place to the fullest as it is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Bor Wildlife Sanctuary

Bor wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. It is located near Hingani in Wardha District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Sprawling over an area of 138 sq. km, the sanctuary is primarily known as a natural home for tigers. 

Along with tigers, lots of other animals may be found in the vicinity, including blue bull, chital, Indian bison, sambar deer, and monkey. The sanctuary has over 160 bird species, including 10 species of migratory and nine species of endangered birds. The sanctuary is in the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests ecoregion, with the main species being teak, ain, tendu, and bamboo.

 There also are some religious places in the sanctuary such as a Shiva temple at Khori-Khapa, Bruhaspati Temple at Chauki, Hanuman Temple at Khadki, and Ganesh Temple at Kelzar. During the summer season, this wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra blooms with beauty thus, it is a best time to visit. With a rich mixture of biodiversity, it’s miles indeed one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhamragarh city is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. Located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra and is domestic to various animal species like leopards, the blue bull, peacock, flying squirrels, wild boar, etc.The sanctuary is blessed with acres of grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands.

 Spread over an area of about 104.38 sq.km., the sanctuary is very green and is covered by various species from the plant country inclusive of mango, Jamun, Kusum, and Bamboo trees along with shrubs of Neel, Tarota, Kuda, etc. Two rivers, Parlkota and Pamalgautam, flow through it as well. 

Here you may witness animals like sambar, chital, wild boar, barking deer, langur, and mongoose, amongst many others. The Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary is also domestic to Gond-Madia and several other tribes. February to May is a best time to visit. Overall it is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary

Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. At a distance of 55 km from Kolhapur, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located at Dajipur in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. 

The Shiva Temple and Kal Bhairav temples are the most famous tourist attractions in the jungle.The Shiva temple is a historical temple comprising 51 other smaller temples that lie in the heart of the sanctuary. 

The Wildlife Sanctuary contains tropical evergreen forests regular of the northern Western Ghats. About 425 species of plant life were recorded in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is domestic to 47 species of mammals, 59 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds, and 66 species of butterflies. Besides, one can also spot leopards, tigers, sloth bears, etc.

 This sanctuary is also designated as an Important Bird Area through Bird Life International and is home to the rare and globally threatened Nilgiri wood-pigeon along with Ceylon frogmouth, yellow-browed bulbul, dusky eagle-owl, Malabar grey hornbill, and a great pied hornbill, and one in every of India’s most admired songbirds, the Malabar whistling thrush. 

Set amidst verdant forests, the sanctuary makes for a perfect getaway from the city as it is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. The best time to go to the sanctuary is for the duration of winter. 

Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.  It is placed on the meeting of 3 Tehsils of Sangli district: Kadegaon, Walva, and Palus. Sprawling over a place of around 11 square km, wildlife is also artificially introduced in the arena. The sanctuary boasts wealthy plants and fauna and is a famous tourism center in Maharashtra.

 The sanctuary is forested, however with grassy hill slopes. The most popular traveler activity is hiking to the top of a hill in the sanctuary, from which you can actually see the Krishna River flowing through fields of sugarcane and grapevines. Large animals found in the sanctuary consist of several types of deer as well as wild boar and peacocks.

 Small carnivores like hyenas, foxes, and porcupines also are found in the area. The sanctuary also has much religious, cultural, and archaeological significance as it houses several temples committed to Lord Shiva. It includes one large temple and a complex of 51 small temples, all from the Satvahana period. Moreover it is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

The Tandoba wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. It is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. The reserve consists of 577.96 square kilometers of reserved wooded area and 32.51 square kilometers of covered forest. There are 3 zones within the reserve that are specific to tiger spotting, green landscapes, and the natural world.

 This place is an ideal weekend gateway for the natural world and nature lovers. It is famous for Tadoba national park, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Tadoba lake, Erai dam, Moharli, and Khosla village. Spotted in this place are rare species of flora and fauna, soothing your very being. The reserve is home to different mammals, including Indian leopards, sloth bears, gaur, nilgai, dhole, small Indian civet, jungle cats, sambar, barking deer, chital, chausingha, and honey badger. 

Bird species found in the reserve include the orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, crested treeswift, stone curlew, crested honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, bronze-winged jacana, lesser golden-backed woodpecker, etc… Winter is the ideal time to explore Tadoba also known as one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra with its lush greenery around.

Chandoli National Park

Wrapped all over with lush green vegetation, the Chandoli National Park is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. It is an ideal habitat setting for an extensive and distinct kind of animals, birds, and reptiles. It is placed close to the Chandoli Dam. 

The park includes historical places of notice including 17th-century forts of the Maratha Empire, Prachitgad, and Bhairavgad. It makes for an adventure-packed tour with its interesting jungle safari, bird watching, trekking, and other activities. 

Nearly 23 species of mammals, 122 species of birds, 20 species of amphibians, and reptiles are known to be residents in the forests of Chandoli. The tiger, leopard, Indian bison, leopard cat, sloth bear, and massive squirrel are pretty conspicuous here. Moreover it is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in a dense forest reserve in Satara District of Maharashtra, Koyna is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. The sanctuary is nested in the Western Ghats, covering an area of round 423.55 km2, and elevations ranging from 600 to 1,100 m. 

The sanctuary has dense forests with 3 major sections, Vasota, Maharkhor, and Indavli Met, and is endowed with natural protective boundaries, with Shivsagar Lake on one side and the slopes of the Western Ghats on each side.

 Home to some mammals, such as Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopards, deer, Indian Bison, sloth bears, barking deer, and mouse deer, along with birds like Night-tailed light jar, Brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, and reptiles, Koyna is an area of sheer bliss. Moreover, it is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are some of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. These sanctuaries are home to thousands of amazing, different species of animals and birds. The sanctuaries are enriched with greenery, representing beauty.