Belagavi has now become one of the most important and considered district in the state of Karnataka, which is a home of variety and rare species of plants and animals.
KNOW ABOUT BHIMGAD WILDLIEF SANTUARY, BELAGAVI
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is a National Park located in Khanapur taluk near Jamboti village, Karnataka and Goa border in Belagavi district, Karnataka state, India.
The Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over an area of around 190 square kilometers. The area of 19,042.58 ha (73.5238 square miles) of Tropical and sub-tropical moist broadleaf forest area, was waiting for a long time to be a wild life sanctuary, and was finally declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 2011 in December.
The wildlife sanctuary shares boundary with Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa.
The Bhimgad forests is known for the Barapede caves, the only known breeding area of the Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, which is the threatened species on the verge of extinction.
Meanwhile, The Wildlife sanctuary is also home to other rare species of flora and fauna.
In the 17th century, the area was named from the Bhimgad Fort which was built and commanded by Chatrapati Shivaji. The historical ruins of Bhimgad Fort are located inside the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. The Bhimgad Fort has freshwater ponds, large walls, and canons.
The Wildlife sanctuary is about 35 kilometres (22 miles) Southwest from Belgaum city and 10 km from town of Goa. The area of the sanctuary is the headwaters of several rivers including the Mahadayi, Malaprabha, Pandri, Markandeya, Bailnadi and Tillari including hundreds of perennial streams.
The Wildlife Sanctuary carries beautiful variety of woodlands and grass lands. However, the sanctuary is also a home to several other species which includes, Tigers, Velvet fronted Nuthatch, Leopards, Gaur, Sloth Bear, spotted deer, sambar chitals, foxes, wild dogs, king cobras, Imperial Pigeon, Emarald Dove, the elusive Malabar Trogon, Elephant, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Chitals, wild boars, and other threatened species of mammals, variety of birds and various other reptiles.
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary has a very good population of avifauna which includes Great Indian hornbills, and variety of Drongos, Wagtails, woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Eagles, Egrets, Sunbird, Owls and doves. Grey Jungle Fowl, Jungle Myna, Crow pheasants, Paradise Fly Catcher, Malabar Drongo are commonly seen in this region.
The area is also home to several endemic plant species which includes; Ancistrocladusheyneanus, Diospyrospaniculata, Euonymus indicus, Myristicaarborea, and several other recorded medicinal plantssuch as; Aristolochiatagala, Diospyrosmontana, Emblicaofficinalis, Garciniaindica, Nothapodytesnimmoniana. However, The Wildlife Sanctuary is a rich reservoir of medicinal plants.
As per the All-India Tiger Estimation carried out, there are five unique tigers in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 2018. The forests are a part of vital tiger corridors, one linking the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Radhanagri Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra and the other links towards Dandeli and the Molem Wildlife Sanctuary.
The wildlife sanctuary also includes, a variety of Tropical subtropical moist broadleaf forests and grasslands. The dense forests in this site are part of a significant Tiger corridors.
There is a property owned by the Jungle lodges and resorts, where a popular golf course is located on the way to Bhimgad from Belagavi which is exactly opposite to the Bhimgad Adventure Camp.
The best weather to visit the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is from the month of October to March. During this period, the weather is pleasant which makes it ideal for the visitors to enjoy the outdoor activities and Wildlife observations in the cooler temperatures. It enhances comfort while exploring the Sanctuary’s diverse habitats and scenery.
The mesmerizing weather allows the travellers to fully enjoy and appreciate the Sanctuary’s natural beauty and get engaged in the activities without the discomfort of sudden weather changes like extreme heat or heavy rains.
Additionally, the entry fee to visit the Wildlife Sanctuary is ₹ 800 for visitors. Meanwhile, average cost of the trip can range from ₹3000 to ₹5000 per person. This estimated rate includes the accommodations, travel expenses and basic expenses.
There are various other nearby places you can visit around the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. For accommodations nearby the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, visitors can choose to stay nearby budget friendly hotels, guesthouse in Belagavi, which provides affordable and comfortable stays for the travellers.
For a more memorable experience, the visitors can choose for eco-friendly lodges, and resorts nearby, integrating seamlessly with the natural beauty of the Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Wildlife Santuary is a protected area for the various species of plants and animals to protect them in their own natural environment and to provide a comfortable livings to the endangered animals.
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