Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park

The Mahavir Harina Vanasthali national park is located in Vanasthalipuram, about 15 kilometres from the city centre in Hyderabad. It was declared as a national park in honour of the 2500th anniversary of the birth of Jain saint Lord Mahavira. The territory was first under the control of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

The cheetah, a now extinct predator, was their primary adversary. It’s fascinating to see the contrast between their dark brown to black coats dotted with white spots, their white underside, and their vast, glistening eyes and mouth. Monitor lizards, mongooses, porcupines, and various snakes are all common in this area.

Birds of prey such as kites, vultures, and egrets can be found here as various other birds, including partridges, quails, peacocks, and doves. Over 80 different migrating birds can also be spotted throughout the year. An additional rare bird that can be found nesting in this 

region is the Short-toed Eagle.

Location:

It is located in Vanasthalipuram, a suburb of Hyderabad, about 15 kilometres from the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway. Once the hunting grounds of the former Hyderabadi rulers, the beautiful blackbucks with spiral horns and a variety of other birds now inhabit the area.

Located on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway, Mahavira Harina Vanasthali is an ecotourism site. From the city, it’s an easy drive. The Forest Service is responsible for the upkeep of the park. 

Within the park, guided tours are offered. Visitors and tourists may get up personal with the blackbuck thanks to a shuttle service that offers guided excursions. Van and car users must pay an entry charge to enter the park. Visitors can also climb a tower to better look at the animals.

History:

As a tribute to the 2500th anniversary of Mahavir’s nirvana, the park was renamed Mahavir Park in 1975. There used to be a private hunting ground for the Nizam of Hyderabad at this location. There is a deer park built up to protect and repair this priceless legacy.

Geography:

From dry deciduous forests to grasslands, the park’s vegetation is diverse. The park’s topography supports dry deciduous forests, grassland, scrubland, rocky landscapes, and tropical forests. 

Among the numerous notable and unusual plant species found at the sanctuary are teak, sandalwood, and the flame of the forest. The park is awe-inspiring during the rainy season, thanks to the abundance of brightly coloured flowers.

The park covers a total area of 14.59 square kilometres. In 1994, the park was formally designated as a National Park. The critically endangered blackbucks are the park’s main draw. 

From dry deciduous forests to grasslands, the park’s vegetation is diverse. Thanks to the park’s varied topography, tropical forests and dry deciduous forests coexist in harmony. The park’s golden and white flowering trees provide a magnificent scene on the lush green lawns during the rainy season.

Key Attractions:

The park’s animals can be observed from rest huts and observation towers. For a bit of cost, visitors can take a tour of the park by van and get up personal with the animals. Except for Mondays, the park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Nature and wildlife education is provided by the forest department, aided by a nature library. Exhibits highlighting the complex issues surrounding wildlife conservation can be seen in the exhibition hall.

Sheds and observation towers are available for rest and observation. Visitors can ride inside the park in a van to look at the animals. The safari rides are available from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily. Exhibits highlighting the complex issues surrounding wildlife conservation can be seen in the exhibition hall.

Wildlife:

About 400 Black Buck deer live in the Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park, making it one of the best places in India to see them. Andhra Pradesh’s state animal is the deer, also known as “Jinka” in Telugu. 

During the 18th, 19th, and first half of the 20th centuries, this deer was one of the most heavily hunted. The deer were spared from extinction by establishing a national park in the area.

Park Safari:

A variety of viewing options are available to visitors, including sheds and observation towers. For a closer look at the various animals, there are safari vans available. 

Wildlife protection is also included in the park’s exhibition hall, including a video on wildlife and a library of educational materials. The Forest Department maintains the park, which is open every day except Mondays from 9.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Conclusion

Lord Mahavira’s 2500th birth anniversary was commemorated by the creation of a park named after him in 1975. An undulating topography of 189 hectares, dominated by acacia trees and grasses, is maintained by the Forestry Department’s deer park. 

These trees’ golden and white blossoms contrast beautifully with the lush green blanket of grass in the park during the monsoon. The endangered Black Buck, the state animal of Andhra Pradesh, is the primary form of wildlife to be found here. Over 80 different migrating birds can also be spotted throughout the year. To protect animals and biodiversity, national parks are areas that are legally off-limits for activities such as forestry, poaching/hunting and grazing on agricultural land. They have well-defined limits.