For those who enjoy learning, reading and photographing wildlife, Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to go for your next holiday. The sanctuary is also home to some endangered species because of which it is highly regarded by wildlife enthusiasts.

This Wildlife Sanctuary located in the heart of Maharashtra, however, it is primarily surrounded by regions populated by tribal communities. Most of these inhabitants belong to the Gond community and Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary provides for their economic needs. These tribes are a minimalistic community and they are dependent on the forest for their daily needs such as wood and grass.

For those who value wildlife and fancy seeing them in their natural habitat, Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is a must visit. You will find an amalgam of languages that are predominantly spoken here - Telugu, Marathi, Gondi and Madia.

The sanctuary sprawls over an impressive area of 135 sq km of land. This makes it a huge sanctuary that gives shelter to a variety of flora and fauna. Chaprala Temple and Makranda Temple are some of the popular local attractions close to the wildlife sanctuary.

Location

Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the enthralling and mesmerizing state of Maharashtra, within Gadchiroli district. The area comes under Vidharbha region of Maharashtra. The sanctuary has been outlined towards the west by the serene banks of Pranhita River. 

Flora

The sanctuary boasts of myriad variety of indigenous flora, which will reinvigorate your senses. The patches of grasslands offer a view that is unmatched. The predominant species of plants are the dry deciduous type of forests. The majority of the trees are teak and its sub species. You can also find species of Arjun, Behda, Bel, Chichwa, Mahua, Semal Shisham and Sisoo.

Fauna

The sanctuary is home to an uncountable number of animals and birds, comprising a huge number of species. There are a total of 131 species of fauna found in the sanctuary. Most of these inhabit the protected area of the forests.

The most attractive yet most endangered species in this forest is the Giant Indian Squirrel. It attracts tourists in hordes for the beauty and for its dwindling numbers. The forest department is doing its best to protect the squirrel here.

A total of 23 species of mammals have been recorded in this area. Some of the major wildlife animals found here include deer, squirrels, blue bull, jungle cats, jungle fowl, flying squirrel, wild boar and Sambar. While the tiger and leopard are found here, it’s rare to find any big cats here.

Of these, four have been classified under the endangered species, which include tiger, sloth bear, jungle cat and leopard. There are two species of reptiles in this sanctuary that have the status of being endangered - the python and Indian monitor lizard.

The sanctuary also has a large population of birds, which includes peacocks and migratory birds. The place is a paradise for those who love bird watching as well as for ornithologists. There are a total of two species that have been grouped under the near extinction status.

Best Time to Visit

The sanctuary sees all seasons - summers, winters and a short rainy season. There is a large window between February and May, which is the ideal time to visit this sanctuary. December to February sees winters, while monsoons last from June to September.

How to Reach

Rail

Travelling by train is a convenient and pleasurable experience. The nearest railway station is in Ballarpur, which lies about 70 km away from the sanctuary.

Air

If you want to save some time or if you are coming here from far away, you can take a flight. However, the nearest airport is located in Nagpur, which lies almost 243 km away from the sanctuary.

Road

The nearest bus station from the sanctuary is situated at Chandrapur and Ballarpur. Chandrapur is 85 km away from the sanctuary.

From the stations, one can take a cab to Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s difficult to find buses to the sanctuary from here.

Where to Stay

There are hotels located close to the sanctuary where you can stay during your visit here. The forest department at Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary also runs a guesthouse here. However, to stay here it would be a good idea to make your arrangements well in advance.