Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park is situated in the Jubilee Hills of Hyderabad which is the common capital of the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The national park encompasses an area of 390 acres and houses the famed Chiran Palace. It serves as an enjoyable tourist destination where people belonging to all age groups can relish the beauty of nature. The park is maintained by the Government of India and is frequented by several visitors during the weekend and evenings.
History of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park
In the year 1960, Chiran Palace was built and its entire complex spanned over an area of 400 acres. In 1967 Azam Jah, the Prince of Berar presented the palace to his son Prince Mukarram Jah on the latter`s coronation. Apart from the palace, the complex included Gol Bungalow, Mor (peacock) bungalow over a hillock and stables for horses, elephants and cattle. It also houses a `motor khana` where several stately vintage cars were kept along with a workshop for heavy machinery, several outhouses, petrol pump, two wells and two water tanks. The complex area was declared as a National Park in the year 1998 by the Andhra Pradesh State Government after receiving permission from the Central Government. Owing to this, the forest department gained control over the major part of the land whereas only 11 acres of land remained under the control of Nizam which gradually reduced further to six acres.
Later the place was renamed as Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park and the palace was only left with its original name. In June 2010 an agreement was made between the Prince and the State Government for the exchange of Chiran Palace and 16 other pieces of property in the park with his six acres of land. Thus on approval of The Indian Board of Wildlife, Supreme Court and the Central Government latter was struck out of the park and was handed out to the prince leaving behind the rest of the properties including the palace as a part of the National Park.
Flora and Fauna of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park
Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna which dwell in a serene environment free from the pollution. More than 600 species of plants have been recorded here along with 30 different varieties of butterflies and reptiles and 140 species of birds. Common fauna found here include Porcupines, Jungle Cat, Peacock, Small Indian Civet and Pangolin. A few water bodies are also located in the park which provide the much needed moisture to the plants and quench the thirst of animals and birds.
Chiran Palace in Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park
Chiran Palace, a part of Kasu Brahmananda Wildlife Sanctuaries of South IndiaReddy National Park, exhibits modern architecture which was beautifully designed to fulfil the needs of the prince. In a strict traditional term, it cannot be exactly stated as a palace. It more resembles a huge villa encompassing an area of 6000 square metres. The building has a duplex structure and comprises two cellars and houses a billiard room and a large conference hall. An armoury hall, place for visitors, two guest rooms etc are situated in the ground floor. There are seven bedrooms in the first floor where the Nizam used to live with his family.
