Mahavir Harina Vanasthali

Filed under Parks

In this day and age of technological advancement and modern civilization, one of the more pressing serious trade-offs man has to make in exchange for progress is the rapid decline of forests and the countryside. As a result, several species of wildlife are facing extinction and rarity. In the face of this alarming concern, governments around the world have started to save what they can in order to preserve the beauty and balance of nature and the ecosystem. Thus, wildlife reserves and national parks are born. They are declared and owned by a country’s national government and are protected from urban development and pollution. They are, in a sense, the last sanctuary for Mother Nature.

The Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park in Hyderabad is one such attraction. Named after the holy Jain saint Lord Mahavir, the park is located in Vanasthalipuram, a residential suburb 15 kilometers from Hyderabad. It is particularly well-known for being the home of the endangered Black Buck deer. The deer, also known as Krishna Jinka in Telugu language, is Telangana’s state animal and was the most hunted animal in all of India during the 18th, 19th, and the first half od the 20th century. Fortunately, the declaration of the Mahavir Harina Vanasthali as a national park helped in saving it from certain extinction.

Aside from the deer, there are also other animals that make the national park their home. Cheetahs, wild board, monitor lizards, porcupines, and several variety of snakes can be found roaming in the park’s 14.59 square kilometer area. There are also several species of birds such as quails, cormorants, pond herons and egrets available for the avid bird watchers. Of note is the Short-toed Eagle, a rare variety of the bird species, which can be found in this area.

Visitors can view the animals via sheds and viewing towers. Vans are also provided to take the visitors on a safari ride within the park premises to watch the animals close. The rides are scheduled between 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with the requisite entry fee needed for entrance. There is also an exhibition hall where one can learn about wildlife conservation.

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