Sri Venkateswara National Park – complete detail – updated

Sri Venkateswara National Park – complete detail – updated. Dominant flora and fauna of  Sri Venkateswara National Park. Sri Venkateswara National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Park is located in Eastern Ghats spread over the Seshachalam hills of Cuddapah district and Tirumala hills of Chittoor district.

Total area of the park is about 353.62 km². It was officially declared a National Park in the year of 1998. The vegetation in the national park consists of dry deciduous mixed forest with patches of moist deciduous forests in the valleys. Sri Venkateswara National Park, comprises the Seshachalam hill ranges with the abode of Lord Venkateswara in its midst.

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

Sri Venkateswara National Park

Sri Venkateswara National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of the state of Andhra Pradesh.

This park came into being in the October 1989, officially declared a National Park in 1998. Total area of the park is about 353.62 km².

The government of India declared the region covered by Seshachalam Hills as one of the biosphere reserves of India in the year 2010.

Sri Venkateswara National Park, Andhra Pradesh was named after Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. The Park is located in Eastern Ghats spread over the Seshachalam hills of Cuddapah district and Tirumala hills of Chittoor district.

Click here to view state wise list of Indian national parks – updated

The Park has a beautiful landscape that is marked by the rugged topographical features. The whole park is surrounded by the Seshachalam and Tirumala hills and is marked by gorges, steep slopes, plateaus and valleys.

The park has gained popularity for its amazing waterfalls such as Talakona, Gunjana, and Gundalakona.

Venkateswara National Park is the ideal place, from where we can go for trekking. We can site a beautiful forest bungalow on your way, which has a stream in its background.

The vegetation in the national park consists of dry deciduous mixed forest with patches of moist deciduous forests in the valleys.

Sri Venkateswara National Park, comprises the Seshachalam hill ranges with the abode of Lord Venkateswara in its midst.

Geography

The Park is located in Eastern Ghats spread over the Seshachalam hills of Cuddapah district and Tirumala hills of Chittoor district, and surrounded by the Seshachalam and Tirumala hills and is marked by gorges, steep slopes, plateaus and valleys.

Elevation varies from 150 to 1100 meters above mean sea level. The terrain is undulating with forest covered valleys. The forests receives most of the rainfall during the northeast monsoon and a little during the southwest monsoon. The vegetation here is a mix of dry deciduous and moist deciduous types.

Temperature:       Maximum – 44^o C

                             Minimum – 5^o C

Average rainfall in the region is about 900 mm.

Dominant flora

Many floral species found in the park, few dominant species are Red Sanders, Shorea talura, Shorea thumburggaia, Terminalia pallida, Sandalwood, Cycas beddomei, Syzygium alternifolium, Psilotum nudam, Acacia Sundra, Bauhinia Racemosa, Aegle Marmelos, Atlantia Monophylia, Azadirachta Indica, Madhuca Indica, Pterocarpus Santalinus etc.

Dominant fauna

Mammals – Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Cheetal, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Hyena, Jackal, Fox, Civet Cat, Jungle Cat, Golden Gecko, Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Tree Shrew, Flying Lizard etc.

Birds – Common Peafowl, Grey Pelican, Purple Heron, Demoiselle Crane, White Ibis, White-Necked Stork, Brahminy Duck, Painted Stork, Common Teal, Lesser Whistling Teal, Pintail, White Breasted Waterhen, Cotton Teal, Comb Duck, Shoveller, Purple Moorhen, Painted Spur Fowl, Silver Pheasant, Jungle Bush Quail, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Grey Partridge, Indian Spotted Munia etc.

Reptiles – Marsh Crocodile, Indian Pond Terrapin, Starred Tortoise, Golden Gecko, Gliding Lizard, Cobra, House Gecko, Termite Gecko, Common Skink, Rat Snake, Indian Python, Rock Gecko, Banded Rock Gecko, Russels Viper, Chameleon, Common Indian Monitor, Banded Krait etc.

State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated 

Other Attractions

Sri Venkateswara Temple – The world famous temple nestles on the top of the Tirumala Hills.

Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple – The temple is devoted to the consort of Lord Venkateswara, and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru.

Kalyana Venkateswara Temple – temple features a larger replica of the idol in the Tirumala Temple.

Govindarajaswamy Temple: The temple is devoted to brother of Lord Venkateswara, Govindarajaswamy.

Best time to Visit

Sri Venkateswara National Park is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit the Park is during the period of November to February.

Timings

Summer: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Winter: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

How to Reach

By Road:  Sri Venkateswara National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Sri Venkateswara National Park at frequent intervals.

By Rail: Nearest railway stations are Hyderabad and Tirupati railway stations. These railway stations are well connected by road to Sri Venkateswara National Park.

By Air – Nearest airport is Tirupati airport located About 21 km from the Sri Venkateswara National Park. Tirupati airport is well connected by road to Sri Venkateswara National Park.

Accommodation

There are various hotels and resorts available in close vicinity of the national park. The hotels and resorts are equipped with all modern facilities and amenities to add to the level of comfort.

Important contact

Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Management, Tirupati, Phone:- 0877-2231887,

Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Management, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Tirupati, Phone:- 0877-2280980

Other National Parks in Andhra Pradesh. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows……..