Biodiversity:
The sanctuary area is most rugged, hilly and difficult to get accessibility. The area is part of Sahyadri and Kalsubai (1646 metres) in the highest peak of western ghats in the state. The vegetation type in southern moist mixed deciduous vegetation forest close to west coast semi evergreen forest and semi deciduous shrub savanna. Flora:
Main tree species are Terminalia chebula (Hirda
), Syzgium gibsonii (Jambul), Macaranga peltala (Chandawa), Cassia fistula (Bahava), Xantoliss tomentosa (Kumbhal ), Actinoda hookri (Gulchavi), Diospyrous montana (Kudal ), Albezzia procera (Siras), Trema orientalis (Kharvel), Memocylon umbellatum (Karap ), Phyllanthus emblica (Avali), Dridelia retusa (Ashind), Canthium umnelatum (Lokhand), T.bellerica (Behada). Undergrowths:
Calotropis gigantia (Mandar), Murraya koenigii (Kadipatta), Lantana camera(Ghaneri), Acacila suma (Chilhar), Olea diocia (Parjanbhal), Karvi, Carissa Congesta (Karwand) Ber, Dhaiti, Rametha. There are large traces of grasslands mostly of Marvel, Dongari, Pawanya, Ber, Surad, Harali etc. Bamboo is also seen scattered. Fauna:
Mammal: Leopard, Jungle Cat, Palm civet, Mongoose hyena, Wolf, Jackal, Fox Wild Boar, barking deer, Hare, Sambar, bats etc. Reptiles: Monitor Lizard, Fan-throated lizard, Turtles and many spices of snakes
Birds: White nacked Storks, Herons, ibies, waterbees etc. Tourist Information:
Best time to visit: August to December. Nearest Airport: Pune / Mumbai. By Rail: Mumbai to Bhandara - 185 Kms. By Road: Nashik to Bhandardhara - 72 Kms., Nashik to Bhandardhara - 25 Kms.
