Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary Warangal – Answering to the Call of the Wild
A liberal spread of Teak forests spread out over an area of 812 square kilometer make up the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary of Telangana. Located in the Eturnagaram village in Warangal the sanctuary is a much treaded terrain for most wild life lovers. The place affords a rich bio-diversity which helped it earn its Sanctuary status in 1952. It is also famed as one of the oldest sanctuaries in the state and well known Telangana Tourism spot.
In addition to the dry deciduous variety of teak trees that the Sanctuary grows in abundance, the place is also famous for foliage like Bamboo, Pterocarpus or mukwa, terminalia, madhuca and several others.
Sprawled over gentle undulating slopes, the Sanctuary is home to a host of wild life. The presence of the Dayyam Vagu River that flows through the park makes the area all the more congenial for the wild life it supports. It is a safe haven for several endangered species like tiger, black buck, sloth bear, chowsingha or the four horned antelope and the chinkara. In addition to these, the sanctuary is also inhabited by spotted deer, Wild dogs or dholes, nilgai, Sambar, and Indian Giant squirrels. It is known to house the largest population of gaurs or the Indian bison in the state. The dense forests also provide a happy breeding ground for various kinds of birds. The place is always kept alive by the lively chirping of the feathered creatures. Eturnagaram is also famous for its reptile population. It registers a healthy count of mugger crocodile, python, Kraite, Star and Cobra.
The sanctuary conveniently and strategically borders the three states of Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and therefore is easily accessible from each of these. The state provides excellent connectivity through state run buses that ply from various strategic locations and help tourists reach the Sanctuary. However it is located at a distance of 250 kms from Hyderabad which is the closest airport.
Owing to the extreme high temperatures that prevail almost throughout the year, it is best to visit the park between the months of October – January. Drenched in the monsoon waters the sanctuary dons a fresh new look. The fauna having quenched their parched bodies leaves the torturous summer months behind and looks forward to welcoming the cooler climate. This is therefore the right moment to visit them.
Accommodation in Eturnagaram can be availed quite easily. The ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) guest house in Eturnagaram provides comfortable accommodations. The forest rest house and the tourist huts at Tadvai are also good options. Daytrips can also be arranged from Warangal.
Medaram located in a remote corner of the Eturnagaram Sanctuary is the place which hosts the Samakka Saralamma Jathara, a tribal festival. The Sanctuary therefore assumes additional focus during this time of the year. The festival which is a biennial event celebrates the bravery of Samakka and Saralamma a mother and daughter pair who fought against the injustices of the reigning kings.
Home to a wide variety of wild life and a source of rich bio and marine diversity, the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is truly an asset that needs to be preserved. A visit to this place is sure to add a breath of freshness to the lives of its visitors.
Special Attractions:
– Samakka Saralamma Temple at Medaram
– Jampanna Vaagu
Best Time to visit: October to March
Distance:
– 250 Kms from Hyderabad
– 105 Kms from Warangal
– 179 Kms from Karimnagar
How to Reach:
– State Road Transport buses are available from Hanamkonda Bus Stand, Warangal.
Where to Stay:
– The ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) guest house in Eturnagaram provides comfortable accommodations.
– The forest rest house and the tourist huts at Tadvai are also good options.
– One can also avail comfortable accomodation at Warangal and go for a day trip to this Wildlife Sanctuary.
Nearby Attractions:
– Ramappa Temple
– Ramappa Lake
– Laknavaram Lake
Contact Numbers:
– Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Management, Warangal: 0870-2431546.
– Forest Range Officer, Eturnagaram: 08717-231240.
– State Tourism Department: 040-23450444, 1800-42-545454
– Warangal Tourism Officer: 0870-2459201