Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park

2021-10-23T02:01:09Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
| iucn_category = II
| photo = File:Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park.jpg
| photo_caption = Entrance gate with idol of [[Mahavira]]
| map = India Telangana
| location = [[Telangana]], [[India]]
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|17|36|N|78|47|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 14.59
| established = 1975
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
}}
[[File:Common Hawk Cuckoo (Cuculus varius) in Hyderabad W IMG 7381.jpg|thumb|270px|Common hawk cuckoo ''[[Cuculus varius]]'']]
'''Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park''' is a [[deer]] [[national park]] located in [[Vanasthalipuram , Saheb Nagar]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], [[India]]. It is spread over 3605 acres.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Nehru-Zoological-Park-blackbucks-get-new-home/articleshow/21564226.cms | title=Nehru Zoological Park blackbucks get new home | date=3 August 2013 | newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=26 October 2018 }}</ref> It is the largest green lung space in the city of Hyderabad.

==History==
The park was named after [[Mahavir]], a [[jain|Jain saint]], in commemoration of his 2500th nirvan anniversary in the year 1975. The place where the park is located was once a private hunting ground for the [[Nizam]], rulers of [[Hyderabad state|Hyderabad]]. A deer park was set up in order to preserve this precious heritage and rehabilitate it.
It was donated by the nizam to establish a national park.

==The Park==
Animals living in this national park include a few hundred [[blackbuck]]s (the [[state animal]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]]), [[porcupine]]s, [[Asian water monitor|water monitor]]s, [[short-toed eagle]]s, [[Indian pond heron]]s, [[egret]]s, [[kingfisher]]s, [[cormorant]]s and several other bird species.
<gallery>
File:Fan-throated Lizard (Sitana ponticeriana) W2 IMG 7581.jpg|Fan-throated lizard ''[[Sitana ponticeriana]]''
File:Orange Blister Beetle (Mylabris pustulata) on Dolichandrone falcata flower W2 IMG 7431.jpg|Orange blister beetle ''[[Mylabris pustulata]]''
File:White-naped Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus) in Hyderabad W IMG 7547.jpg|White-naped woodpecker ''[[Chrysocolaptes festivus]]''
</gallery>

==Ecotourism==
Mahavira Harina Vanasthali is located in the outskirts of [[Hyderabad, Telangana|Hyderabad]], on Hyderabad - Vijayawada road. It is easily approachable from the city. The park is maintained by the TS Forest Department. Guided tours are available within the park.

There is an [[tariff|entry fee]] for people who wish to enter the park by safari vehicle to view the animals. The entry fee details are available at the park web portal

==Flora==
* Dry deciduous forest mixed with scrub jungle and grasslands
* Sandalwood, rosewood, palas, amalthas, albizzias, accacias, teak
* The terrain varies from hilly to gently rolling.

==Fauna==
* Panther, black buck, cheetal deer, wild boar, civet, porcupine, peacock
* There are 30 species of reptiles and over 120 species of birds.

==See also==
{{Portal|Hyderabad}}
* [[Mrugavani National Park]]
* [[Jawahar Deer Park]]
*[[Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park]]

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080222215205/http://forest.ap.nic.in/WL%20MHV.htm Official site]

{{National Parks of India}}
{{Hyderabad topics}}
{{Protected areas in Telangana}}

[[Category:Geography of Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Parks in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:National parks in Telangana]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1975]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]

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Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park