The Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary is a famous wildlife sanctuary in India. It is known for its beautiful forests, hills and a wide variety of animals and birds. The area is peaceful and full of natural beauty, making it a great place for nature lovers and wildlife watchers. Many people visit this place for nature lovers and wildlife environment. Many people visit this place every year to enjoy its greenery, fresh air and calm environment.
Location of Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary
The Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary covers a large area of 26,061.19 hectares (about 64,399 acres). It includes 19,706 hectares in Aurangabad and 6,355.19 hectares in Jalgaon. The place is named after the nearby village Gautala, which got its name from the Hindu saint Gautam Rishi.
History Behind the Name
There is a lake called Gautala inside the dense forest. Long ago, people used to live nearby and bring their cattle to graze. The word ”Gau” means cow in Hindi, which is how the place got the name Gautala.
Type of Forests and Plants
The forest is a dry deciduous type, meaning the trees shed their leaves in some seasons. There are also bushes and grasslands.
Some of the main trees found here are:
- Teak
- Anjan
- Sandalwood
- Bel
- Awla
- Bhallatak
- Moha
Animals Found in the Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary
The sanctuary is home to many wild animals. Some of them are:
- Chinkara
- Nilgai
- Sloth Bear
- Jungle cat
- Leopard cat
- Barking deer
- Fox, jackal and wolf
- Dhole
- Langur
- Wild boar and hare
Birds and Reptiles in the Sanctuary
More than 240 bird species live here. Some of them are:
- Cranes
- Spoonbills
- Storks
- Ibis
- Peafowl
- Quail and partridges
- Cobra
Tourist Attractions Inside the Sanctuary
Along with wildlife, tourists can visit many interesting places inside the sanctuary such as:
- Pitalkhora Caves: Old Buddhist rock-out caves from 2nd century BCE.
- Patnadevi Temple: A famous religious place
- Mahadeva Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Sita Khori: A beautiful waterfall
- Hanuman Mandir: A small roadside temple