Biodiversity of Maharashtra

The   Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park , commonly known as the   Rajiv Gandhi Zoo   or   Katraj Zoo , [3]   is located in   Katraj ,   Pune district ,   Maharashtra   State,   India . The 130-acre zoo is divided into three parts: an animal orphanage, a snake park, and a zoo, and includes the 42-acre (17 ha) Katraj Lake. ANIMALS:- The zoo has collections of  reptiles ,  mammals , and  birds . Among mammals, the zoo has a  white tiger  and a male  Bengal tiger  named Tanaji. Other mammals at the zoo include  leopard ,  sloth bears ,  sambhars ,  barking deer ,  blackbucks ,  monkeys , and  elephants . Reptiles include  Indian rock python ,  cobra ,  snakes ,  vipers ,  Indian crocodiles  and  Indian star tortoise  and birds such as  peafowl  also feature. In April 2017, the zoo acquired a pair of   Asiatic lions . This appears to have been one reason why visits to the zoo increased significantly, since the previous year. SNAKE PARK:- The snake park has a large collection

Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is located in Niphad Tehsil of Nashik district in Western Maharashtra. A stone pick up weir was constructed in 1907-13 across the river Godavari just below the confluence of Kodwa and Goadavari rivers at Nandur Madhameshwar. The water level is always fluctuating in Nandur Madhameshwar Lake. Th water released from Gangapur and Darana water reservoirs is stored at Nandur Madhameshwar and subsequently released from here through canals for irrigation. Silts and organic matter that are carried away with water flow are accumulated in the lake, due to which islands and shallow water ponds have been created. This resulted in the biological enriched conditions by which aquatic vegetation has been stabilised. Thus the site has turned into good wetland habitat aptly describe d as ‘Bharatpur Of Maharashtra”. A Hub Of Resident & Migratory Birds Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is a harbour for thousands of beautiful and migratory birds. There are mor