Telangana state is one of the emerging states now after being divided from the existing Andhra Pradesh. It is unique for its rich culture, history, and nature, and is one of the growing economies. Coming to its natural beauties, the state is committed to preserving the ecological heritage in the form of national parks. Today in this guide, we will explore the recognized national parks in Telangana and how Telangana wildlife and eco-tourism are boosted by these parks.
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What is National Park
A national park is a protected area by the government to conserve the wildlife, nature, plants, and natural beauty and develop the wildlife environment. It is like a home for wildlife animals. Cutting trees, farming, or building anything inside is strictly not eligible as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Using this, national parks are ecologically, faunally, florally, geomorphologically, or zoologically very important.
List of National Parks in Telangana
Telangana is one of the major southern states, presently having three national parks as protected areas that offer a diverse range of ecosystems and green life environments. These include urban green spaces like Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park, and Mrugavani National Park. These are national parks near Hyderabad.
Telangana National Parks at a Glance
| Park Name | Location (District/City) | Year Established | Area (Approx. sq km) | Key Wildlife Highlight |
| Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park | Hyderabad | 1994 (notified 1998) | 1.425 | Peacocks, Pangolins, diverse birdlife |
| Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park | Ranga Reddy (Hyderabad outskirts) | 1975 (notified 1994) | 14.59 | Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), Spotted Deer |
| Mrugavani National Park | Ranga Reddy (Hyderabad outskirts) | 1994 | 3.60 | Spotted Deer, native flora, diverse bird and reptile species |
1. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, Hyderabad
KBR Park is located in the areas of Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. The park has approximately 390 acres of land. It was declared a national park by the Andhra Pradesh government in the year 1988. It is located centrally in Hyderabad, and despite that, it still holds a natural jungle.
On 27th October, this park was declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on behalf of the Central Government of India.
This park is named after Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, who was the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the former Home Minister of India.
The park provides an excellent environment and lung space from the busy urban life and amidst rising pollution levels. The park has over 600 species of plant life, 30 different varieties of butterflies and reptiles, 140 species of birds. Some of the well-seen animals in park are peacock, jungle cat, pangolin, small Indian civet and porcupines etc. There are little water bodies present in the park providing water to plants and animals.
Key Information of KBR Park Visitors
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Jubilee Hills/Banjara Hills, Hyderabad |
| Timings | Morning: ~5:00/5:30 AM – 9:30/10:00 AM; Evening: ~4:00/4:30 PM – 6:30/7:00 PM (Verify locally) |
| Entry Fee | Adults: INR 20-45; Children: INR 10-25 (Approx.) |
| Main Activities | Jogging, Walking, Bird Watching, Photography, Open Gym, Yoga |
| Best Season | Pleasant throughout the year; early mornings/late afternoons ideal |
| Accessibility | City buses, Auto-rickshaws, Taxis; Nearest Metro: Jubilee Hills Check Post |
| Key Rules | No Littering, No Feeding Animals, No Loud Music |
Exact Location of KBR park in Hyderabad
2. Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali is a deer national park located in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad. It is spread over 3605 acres and serves as the largest green lung space for the urban city of Hyderabad.
The park was named after Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, on his 2500th birth anniversary in the year 1975.
Many species of animals live in this park, including blackbucks (which is the state animal of AP), chitals, water monitors, porcupines, egrets, kingfishers, Indian pond herons, and several other bird species. There are also 30 species of reptiles, over 120 species of birds, and 350 to 400 of elegant antelopes.. The park includes notable tree species such as sandalwood, rosewood, palas (flame-of-the-forest), amalthas (Indian laburnum), various acacias, and teak.
Key Information of Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park Visitors
Note: Monday is the holiday for this national park, and vanasthalipuram deer park timings are from 9 am to 5:30 pm. No cameras are allowed.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad (on Hyderabad-Vijayawada Road, NH65) |
| Timings | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM/5:30 PM; Closed on Mondays |
| Entry Fee | Approx. INR 20 per person (may include safari) |
| Safari | Van Safari (approx. 15 mins); Timings vary, generally within park hours |
| Main Wildlife | Blackbuck, Chital (Spotted Deer), Porcupine, various birds |
| Other Features | Butterfly Park, Wildlife Museum |
| Best Season | October to February/March (Cooler months); Monsoons for lush greenery |
| Accessibility | Easily accessible by road from Hyderabad |
3. Mrugavani National Park
Mrugavani National Park is located in Chilkur, Hyderabad, which is around 20 km from the main city. This park holds 1211 acres of land containing 600 different types of plant life, including 350 spotted deer. Major animals include the Indian hare, Indian rat snake, Russell’s viper, jungle cat, chital, and flowerpecker. Some of the major plants include teak, sandalwood, ficus, palash, bamboo, and rela. There are also over 100 varieties of bird species. It was declared a national park in 1994 by the central government of India.
This park also contains an education center regarding the environment, a museum, and an auditorium that exhibits wildlife. Visitors are also allowed to go on safari rides to enjoy the nature in this park.
Key Information of Mrugavani National Park Visitors
Note: Monday is the holiday for this national park, and the park timings are from 9 am to 5 pm.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Chilkur, Moinabad mandal, Ranga Reddy district (Approx. 20-25 km from Hyderabad) |
| Timings | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Closed on Mondays |
| Entry Fee | Adults: INR 30; Children: INR 10 (Approx.) |
| Safari | Available (Approx. 45 mins); Cost varies (INR 60/- for adults) |
| Main Wildlife | Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, various reptiles and birds |
| Other Features | Environmental Education Centre, Museum, Library, Watchtower, Jungle Resort |
| Best Season | October to March; Climate generally pleasant |
| Accessibility | Accessible by road; near Nehru Outer Ring Road |
Conclusion
National Parks in Telangana, each with its unique identity and ecological significance, offer more than just a glimpse into the wild. They stand as vital urban wildlife protectors, biodiversity repositories, and spaces for people to reconnect with the natural world. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park offers a blend of royal history and urban environmental experience, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park provides a unique sanctuary for the beautiful Blackbuck, and Mrugavani National Park preserves the native flora and fauna of the Deccan landscape.