Gugamal National Park

The Gavilgarh Hill in Maharashtra is a high ridge running east-west which has its highest point at Vairat and forms the south-western boundary of the Melghat Sanctuary, which is located there.

A prime habitat of the tiger, the Melghat area was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1974. The forest is tropical dry deciduous in nature, dominated by Teak Tectona Grandis.

The Reserve is a catchment area for five major rivers: Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga and Dolar, all of which are tributaries of the River Tapti and the core reserve area at the Melghat Reserve is called the Gugamal National Park. Melghat Sanctuary is the prime Biodiversity repository of the state.

The forest in rugged and hilly area of Melghat is typical Southern dry deciduous forest. This consist mainly of Tectona grandis, Ain, Tiwas, Aola, Lendia, Dhawada, Kusum are the important tree species. Bamboo is widely spread in the forests. Some orchids and strobilanthes in the upper hills. The area is rich in medicinal plants.

The area is rich in wild mammals including Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Ussuri dhole, Indian jackal, striped hyena, chausinga, sambar (largest Deer on earth) gaur, barking deer, ratel, flying squirrel, cheetal (type of Deer), nilgai, wild boar, langur, rhesus monkey, and macaque. Also found here are 25 types of fishes and many varieties of butterflies.

Crocodiles were re-introduced in a systematic manner in March 1990 and February 1991 in Siddu Kund in Gadga river near Dhakna and Hathikund in the Dolar river in the Gugamal National Park.

Accommodations are available in Semadoh for visitors. Kolka Rest House also provide accommodation facilities to visitors. The best time of the year to visit the Gugamal National Park is between the months of October to June.

Getting There

Gugamal National Park is well connected to major cities and places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Gugamal National Park at frequent intervals. It is approachable by the state highway from Paratwada to Dharni.

Nearest railway station is Badnera / Amravati Railway Station, about 110 km from the Gugamal National Park. Badnera/Amravati railway station is well connected by road to Gugamal National Park.

Amravati has its own domestic airport known as the Amravati Airport. The airport is situated at a distance of about 15 km outside city, located at Belora. Currently there are no scheduled airlines operating at Amravati Airport.

Nagpur Airport is the nearest international airport which is located at a distance of about 155 km from Amravati.

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