Tips on clicks :

• Located in the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra state.

• The sanctuary is named after Keechaka.

• Main attraction here is the Melghat Tiger Project.

• Ideal season to visit this place is from October to May.

The Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra - Welcome!

The Amravati district of the Vidarbha region boasts for being mother land to the famous Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the major tourist attractions in Maharashtra. This place is the one and only hill station of the Vidarbha, offering wildlife exploration in abundance. The sanctuary has derived it name from the term Keechaka - a devil killed and thrown in this valley by Bhima - and since then the place came to be known as Keechaka or Keechakadara, meaning the valley of Keechaka. Thus, the sanctuary was named Chikaldara.

The Fauna :

The beauty of the valley gives a very wild appearance. There are quite a few but exotic wildlife creatures in the Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourists can view Panthers, Sambars, Sloth Bears, Wild Boars, and so on, here. Wild Dogs are rarer, but present in this sanctuary. There is a Melghat Tiger Project going on to save the diminishing number of tigers in the country from reducing further. This project is in the Dhakana- Kolkaz National Park, which is a famous and natural habitat for about 75 plus tigers.

The flora :

The vegetation here is mostly valley- forest like, in addition to the coffee plantatiosn that are grown here. This area is famous for its coffee plantations and the only place in Maharashtra where coffee is cultivated.

Other attractions :

The vista of the hill resort and the Tiger project location can be easily obtained from the view points like the Hurricane Point, the Devi Point and the Prospect Point. Also, there are a few beautiful lakes and Waterfalls around the place that enhance the natural splendor of the Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from the wonders that nature has in store at Chikhaldara, there are attractions like the Narnala Fort, Gavilgad, Pt. Nehru Botanicla gardens, the Semadoh Lake that is located just near the sanctuary, and the Tribal Museum.

Ideal visiting season :

The environs of Chikaldara are known for having a climate that is cool, breezy and moist round the year. Hence, it serves as a great place for retreat in the hot summers of Maharashtra. Hence, the months of October to June are ideal for visiting the Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary.