Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area established in 1952, spanning approximately 839 square kilometers in Warangal district, Telangana. The sanctuary surrounds the historic Pakhal Lake, an artificial reservoir constructed in 1213 AD during the Kakatiya dynasty. It features mixed deciduous forests with teak and bamboo, providing habitat for diverse wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, chital, nilgai, and marsh crocodiles.

Visitors can explore dense deciduous forests surrounding Pakhal Lake, observe wildlife such as spotted deer, wild boars, and marsh crocodiles, and enjoy birdwatching opportunities. The sanctuary offers jeep safaris, nature trails, boating facilities on the lake, and picnic areas with scenic viewpoints. Visitors may spot various mammals, reptiles, and numerous bird species in their natural habitat within the forested landscape.

The sanctuary is named after Pakhal Lake, which was constructed around 1213 AD by Ganapati Deva, a ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty. The lake was created by Jagadala Mummadi, son of Bayyana-Nayaka, a minister of Kakatiya ruler Ganapatideva. The sanctuary itself was established in 1952 as a protected area.