Chandoli National Park

Chandoli National Park is one of the popular parks in Maharashtra. It is located near Sangli District and surrounded by the Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Ratnagiri districts. Spread more than 317 square km of area, Chandoli National Park was initially declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and later it secured the status of National park in March, 2007. Together with the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary it forms the southern portion of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

The diversified vegetation found here makes it as an ideal habitat for different species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Except a few tourist areas, entry to the national park is restricted and the temperature here is cool. Scenic places like Kandhardoh and Kandhardoh Falls, Tanali falls, Chandoli Dam and Vasant Sagar Reservoir, Kokna darshan, Zolambi sada and the forest of Rundiv add to the recreation value. And the historical places of the park include the 17th century Prachitgad and Bhairavgad forts of the Maratha kings Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj, ruins of the Bhavani temples, Palatial buildings in Prachitigad and Kalavantinwhich which all depict the ancient glory of the Maratha Empire. Most of the protected area was used as an open jail for the 'prisoners of war' of the early Imperial Maratha Conquests during Shivaji Maharaj's rule.

Nearby attractions are Kamatipura, Ganesh Temple, Sangli Miraj Musical Instrument Industry, Sagareshwar Wild Life Sanctuary, Dandoba Wild Life Sanctuary, Krishna Valley Wine Park, Audumber Temple, Ramling Temple, Bijapur etc.

Those who want to enjoy camping and trekking, Chandoli is the perfect place. Camping and trekking are the major adventure in the core of the Chandoli forest.

The ideal time for making trips to the national park is in the spring season when trees and flowers in the forest are at full bloom.

Flora

Chandoli National Park has dense forests with a mix of Malabar Coast moist forests and North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests. In the dwarf evergreen forests, the dominant species are the Anjani ironwood tree, Jamun, Pisa, Fig, Olea, Katak spinous kino tree, Nana, Kinjal, Kokum tree and Phanasi false kelat. Other trees dominating the landscape include Asan wood, Amla, Devil fig and Harra.

Grasses such as Bangal, Dongari, Black spear grass, Kalikusli, Anjan grass, Grader grass, Saphet-kusli are common. Some of the insectivorous plant species found in the park are Sundews and Bladderworts sp.

Shrubs species and Medicinal plants such as Karvand,Ranmiri, Tamalpati, Toran, Kadipatta, Narkya along with a small quantity of Bamboo are also found.

Fauna

This park is home to some of most endangered species of animals along with 23 species of mammals, 122 species of birds, 20 species of amphibians and reptiles.

Tigers, Indian Bison , Sloth bears, Sambar Deer, Mouse Deer, Leopard Cats Prionailurus Bengalensis, Sloth Bears Melursus Ursinus and Indian giant Squirrels are common. Bird watching trips are organised in the spring season when the birds can be commonly sighted.