Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Mulugu district of Telangana near the borders of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, is one of the oldest sanctuaries in the state, declared protected in 1952. Spanning around 806 square kilometers with a landscape of plains and hills, it is traversed by the Godavari River and a perennial stream called Dayyam Vagu that divides the sanctuary.

The sanctuary supports tropical dry deciduous forests predominantly featuring teak, bamboo, and other native trees. It is home to diverse wildlife including tigers, leopards, wolves, wild dogs, sloth bears, blackbucks, nilgai, sambars, four-horned antelope, spotted deer, chinkara, and Indian giant squirrels, as well as reptiles like mugger crocodiles, pythons, and cobras.

The sanctuary also hosts the significant biennial Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara festival held nearby, drawing large tribal congregations. It offers opportunities for trekking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting, with accommodation options available near the sanctuary. The best time to visit is from October to May, with access primarily by road from Warangal and Hyderabad.