Ajanta range
| Ajanta Range | |
|---|---|
 Part of Ajanta range around Antur fort | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 500–700 m (1,600–2,300 ft) |
| Coordinates | 20°20′N 75°10′E / 20.34°N 75.16°E |
| Geography | |
  Ajanta Range Ajanta range | |
| Location | Ajanta Range |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Jalgaon, Aurangabad, Buldhana |
Ajanta range is a mountain range in the state of Maharashtra in central India. The range forms northern wall of the deccan plateau and acts as a watershed between tributaries of Godavari and Tapi rivers.[1] Starting from around eastward of Nandgaon in Nashik district the range follows a generally east-westward course towards southern parts of Jalgaon district, north part of Aurangabad district, south of Buldhana district. It acts as a dividing ridge between Godavari and Tapi-Purna river basins. Rivers Dnyanganga, Vishwaganga, and Nalganga begin from northern slopes of the range and form tributaries of Tapi-Purna river system. Rivers Khadakpurna and Painganga originate from southern slope and form part of Godavari basin.
The hills are covered with tropical dry deciduous forest. Teak, Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia sissoo are important species.[2] The forests were home to significant number of tigers till 19th Century; however, the tiger population significantly decreased and a tiger is now a rarity in the ranges.[3] Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in eastern part and Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary is in western part of the range. Leapords, sloth bears, jackals, deers, etc. are found in protected areas of the sanctuaries.[4]
The range is a site of and gives its name to the Ajanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[5]
References
- ^ Hunter, William Wilson (1881). The Imperial Gazetteer of India. London: Trubner & Co. p. 88. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ Ranade, Prabha Shastri. States of our Union- Maharashtra. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. ISBN 9788123023120. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ Suryawanshi, Kulbhushansingh. "The last tiger of Ajanta". Mongabay. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Maharashtra Eco Tourism. Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Ajanta Caves". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 18 November 2023.