Chikhaldara is the only hill station in the entire Vidarbha region which is rich in both flora and fauna.It is also the sole coffee-growing area in Maharashtra.The topography of the area constitutes of deep valleys and hills which have a dense forest cover.Due to the hilly gradient, the place experiences a velvety mist and a cooler climate which attracts many visitors to its majestic folds.

Folklore goes that Chikhaldara is named after Keechak, a monster, which was killed by the mighty Bheema and thrown in the nearby dara i.e.the gorge.Over the time the name got distorted and was called Chikhaldara which continues till date.
The surrounding natural beauty, exciting wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and the wonderful climate make this place a tourists’ paradise.One can actually walk amidst the clouds and experience the joys of trekking in these natural surroundings.

Chikhaldara has a wildlife sanctuary which is home to the leopard and is also in the vicinity of the Melghat Tiger Reserve.There is another National Park in the Tiger Reserve which is called by the name of Gugamal National Park and it forms the core area of the Melghat Tiger Reserve.

Gugamal National Park located in the Amravati district of Maharashtra is one of the well known parks in the state.The area was designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975 due to its ecological, floral and faunal significance. The park has an area of 1673.93 square kilometers.

The Melghat forest is typically a Southern Deciduous type of jungle which has around 750 species of plant life.The area has a rich outspread of medicinal plants which are widely used by the tribal population as well as the practitioners of natural herbal remedies.

Apart from the rich plant life, the National Park is also home to a variety of wild life.It includes both carnivores as well as herbivores apart from the avian population.Animals like the panther, tiger, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, neelgai, wild boar, sambar, barking deer form the most interesting population in the park.

Then the place is also home to many migratory birds that come here every year.Crocodiles have also been reintroduced in the rivers flowing through the park.They were brought here in a systematic manner and put into the SidduKund in Gadga River and Hathikund in the Dolar River.

The best time to visit the park is from October through June when wildlife can be sighted in their natural environs.
Gugamal National Park is easily accessible by rail and road.The nearest airport is located at Akola which is a three hours drive.The main railway station is at Badnera which is around 110 kilometers away from the park.The nearest bus depot is at Paratwara which is 60 odd kilometers from the park and the road winds down through steep hills.

It is one of the most exciting and adventurous routes to the National Park.The dense forest looks all the more majestic if one visits the area during the rainy season.

There are plenty of forest lodges and cottages in Chikhaldara as well as the National Park which provide excellent accommodation facilities.The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) also has some luxury resorts in Chikhaldara.There is also Semadoh Forest Lodge in the Melghat Tiger Reserve.

With such beautiful surroundings and a rich flora and fauna, Chikhaldara is indeed a heaven for the tourists in Vidarbha who can feast upon the sight of such a kaleidoscope of wild life and the avian population.

Author Bio: For more information on Gugamal National Park and Gadga River please visit our website.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Gugamal national park, Gugamal wildlife sanctuary in Chikhaldara, wildlife in Gugamal national park,