National Parks in Maharashtra - UPSC Current Affairs

Maharashtra is home to 6 national parks that showcase its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity.

Contents

1. Tadoba National Park

Tadoba National Park is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India.
In 1935, the area was declared a game reserve by the Central Provinces and Berar Government, and it became a protected forest.
In 1955, the Tadoba National Park was established.
In 1986, Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was founded next to the national park.
In 1995, the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary merged and declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
Area: The park covers an area of approximately 116.5 square kilometers (45 square miles).
Hills: Some of the notable hills near Tadoba National Park include:
- Chimur Hills
- Moharli Hills
- Kolsa Hills
River: Andhari River flows through the park.
- Andhari River
Lake:
- Tadoba Lake
- Kolsa Lake
- Erai Reservoir
Tribe: One of the prominent tribes in this region is the Gond tribe.
- Gond Tribe
Flora: Dry Deciduous Forests (teak, ain, bamboo, and tendu), Sal Forests, Bamboo Groves, Grasslands etc.
Fauna: Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Hyenas, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Indian Pangolins, Sambhar, Rusty Spotted Cats, Painted Floricans, Gray Jungle Fowl, Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor lizards etc.

Chandoli National Park is located in the Satara, Kolhapur and Sangli Districts of Maharashtra, India.
It lies between the Radhanagiri and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuaries and forms the southern part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
It is situated in the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats.
In 1985, Chandoli Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
In 2004, Chandoli Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to Chandoli National Park.
In 2008, Chandoli National Park became part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
Area: The park covers an area of approximately 317.67 square kilometers (122.62 square miles).
River: Warana River flow through the park.
Lake: Chandoli Dam is located within the Chandoli National Park.
Flora: Deciduous Forests (teak, ain, hirda and javan), Evergreen Forests (blackwood, mathi and katak), Grasslands, Insectivorous Plant Species (sundews and bladderworts sp.) etc.
Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Indian Bison, Leopard Cat, Sloth Bear, Indian Giant Squirrel, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Mouse Deer, Blackbuck, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Indian Rock etc.

Gugamal National Park is located in the Amravati district of the state of Maharashtra, India.
It is situated in the Satpura Range of hills, specifically in the Melghat region.
In 1974, Gugamal National Park was established as a national park.
In 1973-74, Gugamal National Park become a part of Melghat Tiger Reserve. Melghat Tiger Reserve consists of Gugamal National Park, Wan, Ambawarba and Narnala sanctuaries.
Area: It covers an area of approximately 361.28 square kilometers (139.58 square miles).
Hills: The park is located in the Satpura Range of hills.
- Satpura Range
River: The prominent rivers in and around the park include:
- Tapti River
- Khandu River
- Dolar River
- Sipna River
- Gadga River
- Khapra River
- Wan River
Tribe: Gugamal National Park is home to several tribal communities.
- Korku Tribe
- Gond Tribe
Flora: Southern Dry Deciduous Forest (teak, ain, Indian gooseberry, lendia, dhawada, and kusum trees), Bamboo, Orchids and Strobilanthes etc.
Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Ussuri Dhole, Striped Hyena, Four-horned Antelope, Sambar, Gaur, Flying Squirrel, Forest Spotted Owlet, Monitor Lizards, Indian Skink etc.

Nawegaon National Park is located in the Arjuni Morgaon subdivision of Gondia district in state of Maharashtra, India.
In 2000, Nawegaon National Park was officially established as a national park.
In 2013, Nawegaon National Park become a part of Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
Area: The park covers an area of approximately 133.78 Sq.Km (51.64 square miles).
Lake: Nawegaon National Park is known for Nawegaon Lake. It is a man-made lake located within the park’s boundaries.
Flora: Dry Deciduous Forests (teak, ain, tendu, moha, haldu, and palas), Bamboo Groves, Grasslands etc.
Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Wild Dog, Hyena, Wolf, Sambar, Gaur (Bisons), Barking Deer, Greylag Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Northern Pintail, Indian Pythons, Monitor Lizards etc.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located in the northern part of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
It is situated within the limits of the Mumbai suburban district and spans across the northern suburbs of Borivali and Dahisar.
It was formerly known as Borivali National Park.
The park is famous for the Kanheri Caves, a group of Buddhist rock-cut caves dating back to the 1st century BCE to 10th century CE.
In 1969, it was officially established as Borivali National Park.
In 1996, The Borivali National Park was renamed after Sanjay Gandhi.
Area: The park covers an area of approximately 87 square kilometers (34 square miles).
River: The main river that flows through the park are:
- Dahisar River
- Mithi River
- Poisar River
- Oshiwara River
Lake: Some of the prominent lakes in the park:
- Tulsi Lake
- Vihar Lake
Flora: Moist Deciduous Forests (teak, ain, shisam, kulu, and kadamba), Semi-Evergreen Forests (Indian gum arabic, black cutch, Indian kino tree, and Indian beech), Bamboo, Grasslands (elephant grass, Cynodon dactylon, and Imperata cylindrica), Epiphytic Plants etc.
Fauna: Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope , Mouse Deer, Black-naped Hare, Indian Flying Fox, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher, Spotted Babbler, Monitor Lizards, Bamboo-pit Viper etc.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru National Park is located in the Nagpur district of Maharashtra, India.
It was previously known as Pench National Park.
In 1975, It was established as a national park.
Area: The park covers an area of approximately 257.26 square kilometers.
Flora: Indian gum tree or Dhau, Saja, Salai, Mahua, Indian rosewood, Tendu, Indian kino tree, Jamun, Khair, Ber etc.
Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Four-horned Antelope, Cheetal, Sambar, Black Naped Hare, Serpent Eagle, Hawk Eagle, Kingfisher, Indian Rock Python, Common Monitor Lizard etc.