Maharashtra eco parks are homes to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Maharashtra is one of the biggest states in India which is located in western India and has a number of eco parks for preserving its natural resources. Maharashtra eco parks are working for the past several years in the field of wildlife conservation and are famous for being the preservers and protectors of Indian wildlife. Mahim Nature Park, located in Bhandara district and Gondia district is the most notable among all the eco parks in Maharashtra. Other important eco parks in Maharashtra include the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Melghat Forests of Amravati district, the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary between Bhandara district and Gondia district, the Navegaon National Park in Gondia district, the Dajipur Bison Wildlife Sanctuary in Kolhapur district, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district, Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai, etc.
Establishment and Management of Maharashtra Eco Parks
The initiative of establishing eco parks in Maharashtra for preserving its natural beauty started several years back and it was mainly led by the naturalists and environmentalists. The State Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India also started providing necessary assistance, at a later period. Almost all the Maharashtra eco parks are being run and managed jointly by the private organizations and the government.
Aims of Maharashtra Eco Parks
The general objective of Maharashtra eco parks is to preserve all aspects of Indian wildlife like the plants, mammals, reptiles, birds, etc. However, there are a few eco parks that are aimed at preserving specific species like the tigers, bisons, birds, etc.
Species Protected in Maharashtra Eco Parks
Maharashtra eco parks are rich in vegetation. They provide natural habitat to a large number of plant species. The eco parks preserve numerous mammal species like tiger, bison, gawa, nilgai, wild deer, sambar, panthers, chital, flying squirrel, sloth bear, four horned antelope, barking deer, langur, etc. A number of mammal species in India have been given different labels such as threatened, endemic, near endemic, endangered and critically endangered. Maharashtra eco parks help in protecting these species to save them from extinction. Reptiles protected in Maharashtra eco parks are crocodiles, snakes, tortoise, turtles, etc. Bird species in the parks include both the resident and migratory birds. Some of the most important and notable bird species found in the Maharashtra eco parks include the bulbul, shama, cuckoo, parakeet, drongoes, wagtails flycatchers, purple sunbirds, grey junglefowl, great Indian bustard and peacock. A number of species among these birds are counted among the threatened, endemic, endangered and critically endangered.
Maharashtra Eco Parks as Tourist Destinations
Apart from preserving the rich flora and fauna of western zone, Maharashtra eco parks act as tourism products of the state. A large number of tourists from all over the world come and visit these eco parks every year. The managements of some of the eco parks have also arranged for different facilities like accommodation, various rides, etc for the tourists.
