Koka Wildlife Sanctuary

The Koka Wildlife Sanctuary, established as a protected area in 2013, is situated about 20 kilometers from Bhandara town in Maharashtra and spans approximately 92.34 square kilometers. It forms part of the larger Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, serving as a critical habitat and safe passage for wildlife such as tigers, leopards, gaurs, spotted deer, sambhar deer, and sloth bears.

The sanctuary features dense tropical dry deciduous forests with a variety of flora including teak, sandalwood, and tamarind. Migratory birds also visit the sanctuary during winter, attracted by a lake within the area. Visitors can access the sanctuary via Nagpur, which is the nearest major city with an airport, and Bhandara railway station. Jungle safaris run in the morning and evening, but vehicles must meet certain conditions as visitors are required to bring their own vehicles.

The sanctuary remains an important natural refuge near urban areas, with no villages inside its boundaries, helping preserve its ecological balance and biodiversity. It is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset and is best visited between November and June. Preservation and management are overseen by the Maharashtra State Forest Department.