Nisarga Vidnyan Sanstha: April 2013

Friday, 5 April 2013

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

130.78sq. km. of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary was notified by the state government of Maharashtra in 1985, under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The sanctuary is situated on the crest of Western Ghats that is recognised as one of the 12-biodiversity hotspots of the world. It has large varieties of fauna including endemic species like Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), state animal of Maharashtra .Sanctuary also harbours variety of avifauna hence has been declared as an Important Bird Area sites (IBA). Sanctuary also is rich in plant diversity especially medicinal plants which are used in traditional medicines.

Padarvadi We take our first halt at this place.

sunset From Padarvadi

padargad fort

Fruit Of mahwa or mahua Madhuca longifolia

kuda flowers Holarrhena pubescens

Karanj flower, Indian Beech Tree,Pongamia pinnata

Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculu
देव ससाणा, खरुची

shekru
Indian giant squirrel
Ratufa indica

This animal is State animal of Maharashtra State.,many subspecies found in forests around India, it is endemic to the Western Ghats and is particularly abundant in the Sahyadri mountains of Maharashtra.

Wild Mushrooms

Ant House,

made of just soil and sheer hard work!! Who's great, humans or ants?

Bhimashankar is also an important religious place. Shrine of Lord Shiva ,. The shrine is very old belonging to early 17th century and is a monolithic structure carved in Hemadpanthi style of architecture..

Way to Gupt Bhimashankar

A little ahead of bhimashankar is Gupt bhimashankar. A trek down the thick forest for 30 to 40 mins leads to a stream. Gupt Bhimashankar is a stone carved group of 5 shivlings under a waterfall