Sri Venkateshwara National Park extends over two districts of Chittoor
and Cuddapah of Andhra Pradesh in an area of 353.62 sq.km. The park established
in October 1989, is named after Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati. It is
located in Rajampet of Cuddapah district and Chandragiri and Bailapadu
of Chittoor district.
The hilly terrain bounded by Seshachalam and Tirumala
hills is rugged and beautiful with gorges, steep slopes, plateaus and
valleys. The park is also famous for its beautiful waterfalls like
Talakona, Gundalakona and Gunjana.
The vegetation of the park is dry deciduous with moist
deciduous forests seen here and there in the valleys. Some of the valuable
tree species of Red Sanders (Pterocarpeis Santatinus), sandalwood, Tamba
Jalari, Gymnosperm, Tella Karakkaya etc are found here. It has about
1500 plant species belonging to 176 families.
The
fauna found here are tiger, panther, spotted deer, Sambar, black buck,
bison, ibex, sloth bear, pig, bear, Bonnet monkey, mongoose, wild dogs,
jackal, fox, wolf, civet cat, jungle cat, rare and endangered golden
gecko, Indian giant squirrel, tree shrew, lizards etc and birds
like partridges, quail, peacock, jungle fowl etc.
There are treks from Mamandur, a small village near Renigunta
through the shrub jungle. There is a stream behind the beautiful and elegant
forest bungalow here built by the British. Permission from Andhra Pradesh
Forest Department needed for stay.
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