Sri Venkateswara National Park is another attraction
amidst the range of sanctuaries in India. Sited at a distance of 10 km
from Tirupati, the park sprawls in an area of 353 sq km, over the Kadapa
and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. It boasts of many mesmerizing
waterfalls, like Talakona, Gundalakona and Gunjana. Sri Venkateswara
Wildlife Sanctuary makes an interesting excursion from the divine land
of Tirupati.
For a nature lover, the park is no less than a veritable heaven, where
precipitous gorges, sheer ridges, unfathomable valleys and striking
waterfalls find their place in a lush green countryside, surrounded by
Seshachalam and Tirumala hills. Over and above, a plethora of wild
animals and birds make the affable community in this indigenous land.
Established in 1989, Sri Venkateswara National Park was named after Lord
Venkateswara - the 'Lord of Seven Hills'.
The wide range of fauna found here includes wild animals and mammals
like Tiger, Civet, Jackal, Black Buck, Panther, Spotted Deer, Ibex,
Sloth Bear, Pig, Bear, Bonnet Monkey, Wild Dogs, Bison, Jackal, Fox,
Rare Golden Gecko, Jungle Fowl, Indian Giant Squirrel, Tree Shrew,
Flying Lizards, Nilgai, Wildboar, Occasional Leopard and Hyena. Avifauna
comprises of more than 100 species of birds, including Crested Serpant
Eagle, Ashy Crowned Finch Lark, Indian Roller, Kingfishers, White
bellied Woodpecker, etc.
Besides fauna, Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary is also quite rich
in flora and foliage. The mixed vegetation in the park has patches of
moist deciduous tree-plants. It has approximately 1500 species of
plants, which belong to 176 families. Some of plant species available in
Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary are Sandalwood, Redsanders, Shorea,
Thumbergiana, Shorea talura, Terminalia pallida, Cycas beddomei,
Syzygium alternifoliumm, Tamba Jalari, Gymnosperm, Tella Karakkaya, etc.
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