Gugamal National Park

About:

The Gugamal National Park, Amravati, Maharshtra is known for its wide range of flora and fauna is one of the most well known national parks in the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra is home to a wide variety of rare animals and birds, including the tiger, crocodile, bison, gawa, neelgai, wild deer, sambar and a host of migratory birds.

The Gugamal National Park was built in 1974, and the park spreads over an area of about 1673.93 square kilometers. Located in Chikhaldara and Dharni Tehsils of Amaravati District in the Satpura Hills of Maharshtra, Gugamal is famous as one of the last remaining habitats of the Indian tiger species in Maharashtra.

Melghat was declared a Tiger Reserve of which the Gugamal National Park, forms the core part was among the first nine Tiger Reserve notified in 1973-74 under the Project Tiger.In 1985 Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary was created. It is located in northern part of Amravati District of Maharashtra State in India. Tapti River and Gawilgadh ridge of Satpura Range forms the boundaries of the reserve.

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History:

Interesting things to do:

Gavilgadh Fort:
Shrouded in mist and myths is the Gavali tribal fort of Gavilgad or Gavaligad, on the Chikhaldara plateau, now under the Melghat Tiger Project. Featured in the epic, the Mahabharata, this is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka in a Herculean bout and then threw him into the valley. It thus came to be known as Keechakadara - Chikhaldara is its corruption.

Bhimkund:
Located 1.5 km from the village, this is the place where Bheema is said to have washed his hands in a pond after killing Keechaka. A 3500-foot deep valley and a stream on the left of the valley are the attractions.

Panchbol Point:
This is one of the famous and important points, The five hills edges are connected naturally and it becomes a common huge valley, sound echoes five times hence its called panch valley

Shakkar Lake:
This lake is near Devi point. It is on the way to Gavilgad fort. Boating is available here.

Interesting things to Visit:

Chikaldhare Wildlife Sancturies :
The Chikhaldhara Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a height of around 1118m, in the Amaravati district of Vidarbha region. The only hill station in the Vidarbha region offers you an abundance of wildlife, viewpoints, lakes and waterfalls.The sanctuary is quite close to the well known Melghat Tiger Project situated in Dhakana- Kolkaz National Park. It is named after "Keechaka". This is the place where Bheema killed villainous Keechaka and threw him into the valley. It thus came to be known as "Keechakadara" - "Chikhaldara" is its corruption.

Chikhaldara is the sole hill resort in the Vidarbha region and has the added distinction of being the only coffee-growing area in Maharashtra. Chikhaldara is full of deep valleys, and these valleys are full of velvet mist and majestic trees. All this makes it a very popular summer retreat. With abundance of natural scenery, exciting wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and a placid lake, the beauty of Chikhaldara is overwhelming. The climate is always breezy and walking on the clouds often becomes a reality.

Melghat Tiger Reserve :
Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Chikhaldara and Dharni tehsils of Amaravati district in Satpuda hill range. This tiger reserve of 1676.93-sq-km is one of the last remaining habitats of Indian tiger in Maharashtra.

Wan Sanctuary :
Wan sanctuary is located in Melghat area of Amravati District. It is an extension to the Melghat Sanctuary on southeastern part. This area is part and parcel of Melghat and is rich in floral and fauna biodiversity. The hilly rugged terrain possesses Tropical Dry Deciduous forests.

Devi Mandir:
This point is nearer to the shakkar lake, the cave temple lies under three huge slabs of rock. Water from the shakkar lake continuously seeps through the ceiling of the cave.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

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Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

MTDC Self contained rooms (10 Blocks) and Dormitory (1 Block for 50 tourists) is available.Tourist huts in Semadoh or at the Forest rest houses in Dhakna, Dhargad, Chaurakund, Ranguveli, Chunkhadi, Kolkaz, Jarida, Makhalara, Hatru and Raipur. For aforesaid accommodation the reservation can be made at the Deputy Conservator of Forests, at Paratwada, Amaravati.

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Tips & Suggestions:

People here are friendly and cooperative. The Maharashtra government in collaboration with the central government has instituted many tourist guide centres all over the state in major cities and towns.Foreign tourists have to know a few costumes and traditions of this state, so that they can enjoy the colourful cultural heritage of this vast state.

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Nearest Hospital:

Baheti Hospital and Medical Research Center.
Bakhtar Hospital
Bardia Hospital