Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
| Mayureswar Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to the Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary forest office | |
  Location within Maharashtra | |
| Location | Maharashtra, India |
| Nearest city | Pune |
| Coordinates | 18°20′6″N 74°22′15″E / 18.33500°N 74.37083°E |
| Area | 5.14 km2 (1.98 sq mi) |
| Established | August 1997[1] |
Mayureswar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Tehsil Baramati in Pune district in Maharashtra, India. It is 72 km from Pune and 35 km from Daund.
History
The area was declared as a sanctuary from 19 August 1997 as per the Wild life institute of India.[2]
Flora and fauna
Mayureshwar Sanctuary is mostly made of dry deciduous scrub forest of Acacia catechu (Khair), Acacia sp. (Hivar), Dalbergia latifolia (Sisoo), Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber), Carissa opaca (Karwand), Alysicarpus bupleurifolius, Cyathocline purpurea, Eriocauion diane, Merremia emarginata, Cucumis melo, Cyperus kyllingia, Striga densiflora, Mareilea minuta trees[3] and interspersed grasslands.
It is also home to a variety of birds including, Indian roller, black-winged kite, grey hornbill, grey partridge, Eurasian collared dove, white-throated kingfisher, ashy-crowned sparrow lark, shrike, laughing dove, blue-cheeked bee-eater, Indian silverbill, eagle and babbler.
The main animal species found in the refuge are the Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Striped Hyena, Indian gray wolf, Indian Jackal, Indian fox and Indian Hare (black-naped hare).
Information
Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is not only popular for its birds and wildlife population, but also offers stunning landscapes and natural beauty. This is a good place to see the Indian gazelle. Tourists are allowed to drive their vehicles inside the sanctuary as well as on foot.
The fees as of May 2016 are as follows:
- Entry fee: ₹30 per person
- Four wheeler entry: ₹100 per vehicle
- Two wheeler entry: ₹25 per vehicle
- Camera: ₹50 per person
The forest department has two tents within the sanctuary area.[4] Accommodation options available in the vicinity are in Supe, outside the sanctuary. One may also stay in the Hadapsar area in Pune and drive to the sanctuary in the morning or evening.
The best time to visit is from late August to February when the weather is not very harsh. Summers are hot and humid and there is heavy rainfall during monsoon.
Travel
- Pune – 74 km
- Baramati – 41 km
- Mumbai – 220 km
- Satara – 88 km
- Ahmednagar – 111 km
- Beed – 198 km
- Solapur – 211 km
- Nashik – 265 km
- Kolhapur - 205 km