Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
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| Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park | |
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| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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| Location | Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Area | 14.59 km² |
| Established | 1975 |
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park is a deer national park located in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The park was named after Mahavir, a Jain saint, in commemoration of his 2500th birth anniversary in the year 1975.
The place where the park is located was once a private hunting ground for former rulers of Hyderabad - the Nizam. A deer park was set up in order to preserve this precious heritage and rehabilitate it.
Animals living in this national park include a few hundred blackbucks (the state animal of Andhra Pradesh), porcupines, water monitors, short-toed eagles, indian pond herons, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants and several other bird species.
[edit] Ecotourism
Mahavira Harina Vanasthali is located in the outskirts of Hyderabad, on Hyderabad - Vijayawada road. It is easily approachable from the city. The park is maintained by the Forest Department. Guided tours are available within the park.
There is a shuttle service that take the tourists and visitors on guided tours, this also allows people to get up close to the blackbucks.
There is an entry fee for people who wish to enter the park by van or by car. Visitors can also climb a tower to view the animals.
