Narnala Wild Life Sanctuary by Ms Imtienla Ao

Welcome
To
Narnala Wild Life Sanctuary
Where History and Nature mingle
in Harmony
Kham Talao: Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary
Akot WildLife Division

Akot: Maharashtra.
Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.
HISTORY OF NARNALA FORT

The district gazetteer of Akola describes the Narnala fort in a very lucid
manner: An excerpt :Narnala is an ancient fortress in the hills in the north of Akot, taluka at a
point where a narrow tongue of Akola District runs a few miles in to the Melghat.
It is uninhabited but is in charge of a patel and patwari; the latter, Narayan
Dattatreya, has a fund of information about it. The fortress lies about 12 miles
north of Akot, the road passing through Bordi and the deserted village of
Shahanur. The latter village lies within the first roll of the hills but just at the foot
of the real ascent. Its lands were made forest two years ago and signs of
cultivation are rapidly disappearing. It has a bungalow and sarai, through no
caretaker, and carts can go only as far as this. The rest of the road is under the
care of the District Board but is in parts exceedingly steep and stony; however
camels mount it, and it is possible to ride a horse all the way. The road climbs a
spur of the hills and then follows a ridge, the whole ascent from Shahanur
occupying less than an hour. About half way up it crosses first one and then
another piece of level ground, each thickly sprinkled with Mohammedan tombs.
These are called Lahan and mota sati maidan; on the left side of the road in the
upper plot is a small broken stone having carved on it an up-raised hand, a sun,
and crescent moon, which is described as Saticha hat, Sati's hand. Presently the
lower range of fortification comes in to sight, a line of blackened walls crowning
cliffs of black stone and lying dwarfed but massive along the folds of the hill-side.
Accomplishing three quarters of the ascent the road passes through the first
gateway crowned like the rest with an arch lofty enough for elephants to pass. A
curtain projecting on the outer side of the gateway is called Saha Gotyachi Sapili
because its full height, about 30 feet; is made up of six great stones placed on
top of the other. Lions in different attitudes ornament both the outside and the
inside of the gateway. The path passes two other strong gateways and one
slighter one before entering the heart of the fort, and climbs meanwhile to the
upper most ghats. Between the last two gateways are the domed tombs of Bag
Wawar Wali and Gaz Badshan Wali. The former not only rode a tiger in his life
but even now a tiny white tiger may be seen at night going to and from his tomb.
Passing the last gateway one comes almost at once before the Ambar Bangala,
the kacheri of former day and the chief rest house of the present. It is a lofty
building looking on to a cemented courtyard which formerly contained a fountain
and was roofed with wood. The bangala has a flat roof reached by a long and
steep staircase, and walls around the roof give shade during the greater part of
the day, while openings afford a wide view over both plain country and hills. Akot
is generally visible, with the nearer villages, and in the clear air of the rains one
can plainly see the flooded Purna 25 miles away. (At an equal distance on the
west the fortress of Pimpaldol crowns one of the two highest hills in that part of
the satpuras, a fairly large fortification but one also little known that its existence
is sometimes denied by people living just below it and even by Mahars who go
on pilgrimage to one if its tanks.) Just across the courtyard is the tomb of
Burhanuddin, some times called "the dogs' temple," and beyond it is the
Shakkar talao, a tank of some little size. The tomb is a common place stone
platform with a few tombstones upon it and a dilapidated building beside it. It has
long been known as a place where the bite of a mad dog, jackal, or rat may be
cured, people come from Shegaon, Balapur, Mahan and even Basim, 90 miles
away, to the number of 100 or 150 in a year. They offer gur, channa, ud, and
phul-- country sugar, parched gram, incense, and flowers-- walk five times
around the stone platform, place in their mouths five grains of gram and a very
little of the other food offered, and walk away with their eyes fixed on the ground
till they have passed the first gateway of the fort (a few hundred yards away).
One of the jaglias of Narnala directs the proceedings and adds to his income by
the gifts of patients. Intelligent people of the neighborhood are convinced that the
cure is effective if performed before hydrophobia has appeared in the patient,
and jaglia says it even takes effect later, but every year there are one or two
cases of visitors who die of hydrophobia either just before or just after visiting the
tomb. The local experts hold the common belief that hydrophobia is very apt to
remain latent during the dry seasons and manifest itself at the first fall of rain.
The number of visitors to the tomb does not increase just at that time, but the
difficulty of travelling would explain this; people vow to make the pilgrimage at a
more convenient time.
Pilgrims return after paying tribute at the Burhanuddin Tomb
Shakkar Talao holds water throughout the year even today:

A boon for the animals & birds of Narnala WildLife Sanctuary
The Shakkar Talao is connected with various legends. The cow called
Kapila, pure white, and Kamdhenu, the granter of desires, descends from
heaven at midnight and passes through the water to a pinda, shrine, of Mahadeo
beneath it, and there yields her milk. Unhappily this story was told long ago to an
incredulous Deputy Commissioner, who at first made the retort that though all
other liars might be dead the relater was one left alive, and then had the tank
sounded and searched by a Bhoi diver. Nothing was found but mud, upon which
the officer added, 'Is there nothing in the tank?'. Then take the patwari (who had
told the tale) and drown him there'; and though the order was not enforced this
unsympathetic attitude has greatly discouraged the recounting of anecdotes. It is
said also that a paras, spike of a dome, lies in the tank with the power of turning
everything it touches into gold, and that an elephant's shackles were once
changed in this way when it entered the tank. The water dried up in the famine of
1899 -1900 and nothing was found, but it is remarked that no one knows what is
hidden in the mud. At the west end of the courtyard mentioned are a pretty
mosque and handsome stables, while near the other end is a block of four large
covered cisterns with broken but graceful arches rising above them, Some have
thought them Jain water- cisterns, but they are locally called tupache- take and
said to have been used for storing, oil and ghi for the large garrison. The fort
covers 392, acres, and the walls, which only approximately keep at the same
level, wind about so much in following the shape of the hill that people say the
full circuit measures 24 miles. It would certainly take very many hours to trace
out all the buildings, especially as the walls, through generally in excellent
condition, have crumbled in places and the enclosure is much overgrown with
long grass and bushes. It is said that there were 22 tanks, six of which still hold
water all the year, 22 gates, and 360 Buruj towers or bastions. The first
fortifications, according to tradition, were made by Narayendrepuri, a descendant
of the Pandavas and at the time emperor of Hastinapur (Delhi). Later
Muhammad Bahmani of Bijapur got possession and nearly all the present
buildings seem to be of Mohammedan origin. The fort passed afterwards to the
Maratha, Dakhani, followers of Shivaji and his descendants, then to the Peshwa,
the Nizam, the Bhonsalas, the Nizam again, and finally to the British, but people
say that throughout all this history no great fight ever took place over it. At the
same time they tell some warlike stories about the fort. Muhammadans say that
when men of their religion first came to this part of India Narnala and Gawilgrah
were held by deotas, spirits, who seized and ate any of them who approached
the forts, presently the Fourteen Hundred Champions came with supernatural
powers. Narnala was in the hands of three great deotas, Raja II, Naranalswami,
and Raja Bairat, and its conquest was undertaken by two great awalyas, Ambi
Awalya and Dulash Rahman. The former is buried at Dharud, 4 miles away, and
the latter seems to be the traditional conqueror of Ellichpur, the city of Raja II.
The deotas were at first contemptuous of 'these atoms of men,' but were soon
obliged to take refuge in some vaults in the fort and were there captured. They
were asked what they would have done had they won, and replied that they
would have skinned their opponents and hung the skins, filled with Bhusa, chaff,
at the gates. The awalyas then turned the deotas into stones, the figures of Raja
II and Narnalswami being still shown above a precipice not far from the ordinary
entrance road. Ambi awalya struck the former with his fist and split the stones in
two. Raja Bairat asked that his fate might take place at Ellichpur and that
Muhammadans might worship on one side of him and Hindus on the other, and
this was granted. A legend also connects a hill a little to the south west of the
fort with its capture in the time of Aurangzeb. On the top of the hill is the Daragad
of Saiduliboa or Saidulilwali; it is said that a gun was taken up there unknown to
the Dakhanis and delivered by night so effective a fire that the garrison fled.
Again the name Sati Maidan is sometime applied to the whole sweep of hill- side
between Shahanur and the fort, and the explanation is given that a vast number
of men were killed here in the time of Aurangazeb, the tombs of the
Muhammadans alone remaining; the name would then have the general
meaning of plain of Death. The vaults, Bhuyar, mentioned lie a short distance to
the west of the Ambar Bangala; they are a series of small chambers connected
by low archways and are sometimes called zanan khana on the supposition that
they were meant for the residence of gosha women, women who must not be
seen in the public. Their purpose is however not certain, and their extent is not
known. An attempt to explore them, inspired by the hope of finding treasure, was
defeated by great number of bats coming upon the intruders, who were also
afraid of snakes. A late jaglia of Narnala, Gafur Ahmad, is said to have driven a
score of sheep in to the vaults to see where they would come out. One emerged
at Gawilgarh, more than 20 miles away, but no trace was ever found of the
others. A cross stands on a high point on the eastern side of the fort and marks
the grave of a European officer who was left in charge and died here after the
battle of Argaum, but no trace of his name is left. Among the buildings on the
east side is a Nagar-khana where prisoners used to be kept in a pit, with a big
stone over their heads, to await execution. A few hundred yards off is the khuni
buruj, where a platform was built on the edge of a sheer precipice over which
criminals were sometimes hurled. The nau-gaj top nine yard gun, lies between
these two. A ball from it is said once to have carried off the golden spike set on
the domed building at a Dharud in the plain below and to have continued its flight
till it fell in to the tank at Kutasa, 20 miles away. (It is also said at Narnala that the
Hemadadpanthi temple at Kutasa contains enough buried treasure to restore the
fort, the repeated mention of Kutasa perhaps showing its former importance).
The nine-yard Canon of Narnala

Formerly there was a sister gun called khadak bijli, terrible lightning, but this
somehow fell over the cliff in to Chandan Khora, the valley of sandal wood, and
mysteriously disappeared from sight. Two other guns lie near the Akot gate, to
the south of the ordinary entrance, but the bulk of the military stores were
removed in 1858. Tantia Tope and Mugutrao were then at Jalgaon, the
headquarters of the taluka on the west, and it was thought that they might seize
these stores, though the fortress was in the hands of the Nizam. The guns were
therefore taken off to Akot, the Tahsildar gathering 1000 or 1200 people together
for the task of bringing them down the hills, and the guns being hauled across
the plain by long teams of oxen in one confused procession. The powder and
sulphur were brought out of the magazine and watered and burnt, but a spark
got in to the last cask before it was removed; such an explosion followed that
one still hears how peoples ears rang, and men were knocked down by the
hundred, while two rockets went sailing across the fort in to the hills; but the
magazine, a strong building, withstood the shock and is still to be seen.
The Dhobi Talao, though in ruins, is still a favorite waterhole for wildlife
The Dhobi Talao is a pretty tank which holds water all the year. It has a
series of arches at one side, with summer houses, if one may use the word,
consisting of two stone chambers one above the other and covered by a flat roof.
Water was taken thence to a garden, and one stone is grooved in allmost a score
of places by the rope which ran on it. The garden is ascribed to the Bhonsalas
and is still marked by some champa trees, while two lofty stands for tulsi, basil,
plants also reveal Hindu influences. Moreover a shrine of Mahatoba, or Mhatoba,
on the south of the tank, is famed for the cure of snakebite. The victim must utter
the name of the god and place a stone or piece of earth on his head. Upon this
he has invariably strength to reach the shrine, the power of the poison being
checked. Arriving there he burns a little ghi in a lamp, or ral, ud, gugul, resin or
incense, or some things of the sort. Presently he shivers and sweats-- or
according to the report of some eye witnesses the god sweats-- and straightway
the man is cured; cattle are also healed. A Mahar of Warud who was cured in this
way comes on a yearly pilgrimage and puts the shrine in order. Now it consists
simply of a rough reddened stone on a rough platform, and its importance must
be diminished by the snake god at Shivpur below the ghat, 5 miles distant. Quite
close to the stone of Mhatoba is an image of Mahabir or Bajrangbali, holding its
hand upraised and supported by a much smaller figure. The dalabadal,
containing the old mint, is quite near, and a Mohammedan graveyard is at no
great distance. It is said that the Bhonsalas had 2000 or 2500 men here, and the
number and variety of buildings show clearly that there must have been a large
population, but now the place is generally empty save when Hindu pilgrims visit
the tomb of Saiduliboa and Burhanuddin in the rains, or Muhammadans come in
Ramzan, or the dog -bitten come for healing. Evil spirits, bhuts and shaitans, are
said to haunt it; wherever the walls are broken are the tracks of wild beasts,
morning and evening peacock come to the tank, and at night sambar also come
thither, following well- worn tracks through the ancient gateways.
The Bajrangbali Temple still attracts pilgrims every year
AHMAD SHAH VISITS BERAR AND REPAIRS NARNALA

Ahmad Shah, the ninth king of the dynasty, was compelled to visit his northern
province owing to the invasion of eastern Berar by the Gonds. After driving the
introducers from his dominions he halted for a year at Ellichpur, and while there
built the fort of Gawil and repaired that of Narnala in the Akola District. These
expressions, which are used by Firishta in connection with the two forts, have
been understood to mean that the antiquity of Narnala is superior to that of
Gawilgrah, but they were probably used loosely, for there is no building in
Narnala which can be assigned with any certainty to a period earlier than that of
Ahmad Shahs soujrn in Ellilchpur, and the evidence for the supposition that the
covered cisterns in the fort were the hand work of Jains of pre Muhammadan
times is most unsatisfactory.
The intricately carved Mahakali Gate

IMAD UL MULK REPAIRS NARNALA
In the reign of Mahmud shah III, the assumption of supreme power in Bidar by
Kasim Barid, a Turk, disgusted the tarajdars, whose allegiance to Mahmud was,
after the year 1487 merely nominal. Fateh-ullah Imad- ul-Mulk, who retained to
the end an affectionate regard for the son and successor of Mahmud Shah, was
resolved not to be the servant of the Turkish upstart, and now began to pave the
way for an open declaration of his independence by repairing and strengthening

his fort. The inscriptions over the beautiful Mahakalil or Muhammadi gate of the
fortress of Narnala, Though they contain exaggerated expressions of respect for
the roe fainant Mahamud, record the fact that the gate, which is the strongest in
the fort, was built by Fateh-ullah in 1487.
NARNALA WILD LIFE SANCTUARY
An Introduction:The Government of Maharashtras Notification No WLP/1096/CR-279/F-1 dated

2nd May 1997 declared the ancient Narnala Fort and its surrounding patch of thick green
forests as the Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Narnala Sanctuary comprising of only 12.35 Sq Kms lies nestled in the Satpura Hill
Ranges barely 60 Kms away from Akola. The Sanctuary, touching a maximum altitude of
933.50 msl, has temperature varying from 35 to 43 degree Celsius and an annual rainfall
that varies from 500 to 900 mm. Lying south of the Melghat Tiger Reserve, this
Sanctuary is under the administrative control of the Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Wildlife Division Akot working under the Conservator of Forests and Field Director,
Melghat Tiger Reserve based at Amravati.
The Akot WildLife Division with its Headquarters at Akot has the following Wildlife
Sanctuaries under its administrative control.
Sl. No
1
2
3
Name of WildLife Sanctuary

Narnala Wildlife Sanctaury
Wan WildLife Sanctuary
Ambabarwa WildLife Sanctuary
Area in Sq. Kms
12.35
205.86
127.11
District
Akola District
Amravati district
Buldana District
The area is well known for its richness of flora and fauna. The Sanctuary area has
special historical, biological, mythological, archaeological, scenic and recreational values
and is a point of attraction for the tourists and the people of Maharashtra. The rich and
varied miscellaneous forests of the area provide natural habitat to birds and wild
animals.
APPROACH AND ACCESS
10
Air : - Nagpur airport - 270 km from Akot

Rail :- Akola railway station (broad gauge) - 65 km from Narnala
Akot railway station (meter gauge) - 20 km from Narnala
Road: - Buses / Taxies from Akot/Akola available.
Season:- The best season to visit is from October to May.
The village of Shanhanur is the main gateway to the sanctuary. A tar road connects
Shahanur to Popatkheda on the Akot-Harisal State highway. The main approach isAkot to Popatkheda 12 km (State highway)
Popatkheda to Shahanur - 5 km (Tar road)
Shahanur gate to Narnala fort - 7 km (Tar road through the sanctuary)
Akot is the nearest city and lies on the Purna Ajmer metre gauge railway line. The
nearest broad gauge railway station is Akola (45 km) which lies on the Mumbai-NagpurHowrah main railway line. The proximity to the railhead at Akola makes it accessible to
people from Mumbai as well as those from Nagpur.
The serpentine Tar Road winds its way right up to the Fort
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.
11
Narnala Sanctuary is a continuation of Gawilgarh range of Satpura Hills and provides an

important extension of Melghat. It serves as a corridor between the Melghat Tiger
Reserve and the Wan Sanctuary. In fact, it acts as a gateway to Melghat from the
southern side. The area is already under the administrative control of Project Tiger
Directorate and is being included in MTR.
The hill fort of Narnala is the central attraction from which the name of the Sanctuary is
derived. It is a very old structure with some reports suggesting that the first fortifications
were made by the descendents of Pandavas. The fort consists of 3 separate forts of
Jaffarabad in the East, Narnala in the center and Telyagarh in the West. The fort is
enclosed, except in those places where natural escarpment of rock renders artificial
defense unnecessary, by crenellated stone walls. The fort covers 392 acres with a wall
perimeter of 24 miles (36 km). It is said to have 22 gates and 360 Buruj towers or
bastions.
Sunset over the ruins as seen from Telyagarh Fort

The Archaeological Survey of India has declared a number of monuments as protected
vide Government of Central Provinces Notifications dated 7/6/1916, 20/11/1924 and
12
11/4/1925 under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1904, attached as Appendix
III. The various structures declared as protected monuments are Narnala Fort, Amber
Mahal, Shahanur gateway, Mahakali gateway, Mehandi gateway, Akot gateway, Delhi
gateway, Shirpur gateway, Small mosque, the large and two smaller guns and the tank
built to contain oil and ghee.
The tank built to store oil and Ghee silhouetted against the clear blue winter sky
The ancient Narnala Fort encompassing the entire plateau adds historical value and
enhances the natural scenic beauty of the Sanctuary. With Mahals, massive canons and
intricately carved Gates dotting the landscape, the Sanctuary attracts a host of visitors
and pilgrims every year. A Mosque and a Hanuman Temple situated at the top add to the
religious diversity. However, the most remarkable feature of the Sanctuary is the
remnants of a well-planned, highly efficient Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) system,
which even to this day offers a permanent refuge for the wild animals and birds of the
Sanctuary. More than 20 of such talaos are believed to have been in existence, with
many downhill talaos being fed with water from the topmost Shakkar talao through an
elaborate network of drainage channels. Now most of the lakes have been covered by
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silt but only 6 large talaos still holds water throughout the year, while the department in
phases desilts 5-6 talaos annually and provides artificial water holes in strategic
locations. With Akola and other adjoining districts reeling under acute scarcity of water,
this ancient wisdom of harvesting rain water needs to be highlighted, the system
revitalized and restored to its former glory and projected to our modern day
populace as a practicable and efficient water conservation technique.
The 'Dog Temple' survives till today and is a place in the area where it is believed that
the bites of mad dog, jackals etc are supposed to be cured if the affected person takes a
dip in Shakkar Talao and visits the dog temple. Many people still visit the area on this
belief to take a dip in the holy tank and offer flowers at the temple. Both Hindus and
Muslims visit the area.
The valuable endemic species like Sandal (Santalum album) are reported to be
occurring in one of the fragile valleys in the area aptly named Chandan Khora.
The existence of a large number of medicinal plants like Safed Musli (Chlorophytom
tuberosum), Shatawari (Asparagus racemosus) etc and the proximity to the MPCA at
Gullarghat in MTR add to the ecological significance of the Sanctuary.
ECOTOURISM PLANS FOR NARNALA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Eco-tourism- responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment
and improves the well being of local people. (The Ecotourism Society)
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Eco-tourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and
improves the welfare of local people. Eco-tourism emphasizes on local resources and
local participation, it is about exploiting tourisms potential for conservation and
development and about averting its negative impact on ecology, culture and
aesthetics. The enormous opportunities and awesome risks of nature tourism lie at the
heart of the eco-tourism mission.
Tourism is the worlds largest employers accounting for 10% of jobs worldwide (WTO
1999). With over 30,000 protected areas around the world covering about 10% of the
land surface (IUCN 2002), it is imperative that management of Protected Areas (PAs)
move toward a more integrated form of management that focuses on the interface
between the Government and the local stakeholders and the role that external
agencies like NGOs can play in brokering appropriate institutional arrangements. An
arrangement, which recognizes the conservation needs as well as the social and
economic needs of the communities living in and around protected areas while
bringing in more aware and responsible travelers to these natural areas. The
ecological significance & fragility of these PAs coupled with the poor economic
status of the people necessitates an integrated approach to tourism in order to address
both these drawbacks.
Keeping the above realities in mind, the Akot Wild Life Division proposes to take up a
Community based Ecotourism project for Nature Conservation in all the three
Wild Life Sanctuaries under the Division. This project envisages that the local community
would reap the economic benefits that tourism could bring while at the same time
arousing their concern & pride in their rich natural and cultural heritage, which in
turn will motivate them towards preservation & conservation of these resources.
Objectives of the Project.
This scheme expects to achieve the following objectives:
Bring about active peoples participation in conservation and protection of
natural resources including wildlife, water and forests.
Economic development of the local people through non-consumptive
management and use of forest areas of natural, historical and mythological

importance.
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Eco-restoration & conservation of existing forested areas of scenic
beauty.
Revive the pride and interest of local communities in their rich natural and
cultural heritage thereby steering them towards conservation and preservation of

these common resources.
Capacity building & Enhancement of interpretive skills of local guides
Interpretive information at the destination through creation of Ethnic
information & exhibition cottages,
Improve production and marketing skills of communities particularly on
local artifacts, handicrafts, souvenir items etc.
To popularize ethnic culture and cuisine through the establishment of
tribal canteens and food stalls, amphitheatres etc.
To provide of a virtual reality experience to visitors through close
intermingling with local communities in ethnic settings.
nature
To make travelers to these sanctuaries more responsible, aware and

&
environment
friendly
by
carrying
out
campaigns
through
advertisements, signages, multimedia coverage etc.
Packaging and publicity of destination areas through creation of websites,
calendars, brochures, pamphlets, travelogues etc.
Our Checklist records about 150 species of birds and the animals commonly sighted
include Fox, Jackal, Wild pig, hare, Sloth bear etc. with occasional sightings of Tiger and
Leopard. The old forts also provide refuge for several colonies of bats.
The small Korku tribal hamlet called Shahanur hails the visitors at the gate of the
Sanctuary. This village of amicable Korku tribals offers a window to the traditions and
culture of this tribe. In the face of rapid globalization, there is however a great need to
restore the pride of these people in their cultural and natural heritage and channelized it
towards meeting conservation objectives at the same time enhancing their capacity for
cash generation to meet the challenges of this globalized market economy. With sincere
efforts and minimum funding, the sanctuary can be developed as an ideal eco-tourism
16
destination providing income generation opportunities for the local villagers and
enhancing visitors satisfaction.
A Korku woman of Shahanur village in traditional attire.

Due to the religious & mythological significance of the sanctuary, every year Narnala is
flooded with travelers of all religions and from all walks of life. While religious sentiment
becomes a delicate issue that cannot be totally ignored, the negative environmental
impact of this religious tourism also cannot be overlooked. Hence, environment friendly
energy generation techniques and pollution free conveyance system could create an
ideal ambiance for increasing visitors satisfaction with very little or no damage to the
environment. Use of Wind & Solar energy for lighting purpose & pumping water could
be ideal methods of energy generation while ropeways/ cable cars for conveying
tourists and pilgrims from Chandan Khora to the fort would an added attraction and the
first of its kind in this region.
Existing infrastructure
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Forest Rest House at Akot
ZP accommodation at Shahanur village
For reservation at the Forest Rest House one may contact :

The Deputy Conservator of Forests
Akot WildLife Division
Popatkhed Road
Akot-444101
Telephone: 07258-222211.
Attractions: Some of the special attractions of the Sanctuary are:
Historical/ Archaeological structures:- Narnala Fort, Amber Mahal, Shahanur

gateway, Naksha Gateway, Mahakali gateway, Mehandi gateway, Akot gateway,
Delhi gateway, Shirpur gateway, Moti Masjid, the 9 yard long large canon and two
smaller canons and the tank built to contain oil and ghee. The Archaeological
Survey of India has declared all these structures as protected monuments.
The excellent rainwater harvesting and drainage system built on the fort plateau
epitomizes the ancient wisdom of water conservation through rainwater
harvesting. A total of 22 large tanks and numerous smaller tanks were connected
in a well-planned intricate manner that the overflow of water from tanks situated
at a higher elevation flows into tanks at lower elevation. Thus ensuring that not a
single drop of rain is allowed to go waste.
Taking a dip in the Shakkar Talao & Offering flowers at the Dog Temple in the
sanctuary is believed prevent and cure rabies from the bites of mad dogs, jackals
etc. People from as far as MP visits the sanctuary for this purpose.
Major mammals including Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital etc.
Several large colonies of bats inhabit the dark ruins of the fort.
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The bird life is also very rich with a large number of resident as well as migratory.
Migratory waterfowls can be seen in the perennial water bodies situated on the
Narnala plateau. The Kham talao (Cover Photo) is a mini paradise for bird lovers.
A glimpse into the culture of the local korku tribe through interaction with the
people of Shahanur village, right at the entrance of the Sanctuary.
Korku dancers performs for visitors
Excellent potential for the development of adventure activities like rappelling,

trekking, gliding etc.
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A Korku family returns home from the market

Bullock Carts are still the most common mode of transport for these tribals.
Apart form this, Narnala also serves as the southern gateway to Melghat and is an
excellent launching point for visiting places like Khatkali, Gullarghat, Surai waterfall,
Dhargad, Bori, Koktoo etc. The visitors specially the adventurous nature lovers can
straightaway take the trek route that can take them from Shahanur village right up to the
courtyard of Ambar Mahal and the Moti Masjid. From thereon they can visit the
Barhanudin Tomb as well as take a dip at the Shakkar Talao or they can take to the right
and see the well made for storing Oil and Ghee and proceed towards the plateau where
they can see the main channels that bring in rainwater to the Shakkar Talao. The choice
is now theirs as to whether they continue on the same route and come out at the point
where the nine yard canon lies or they can backtrack and go through the ruins and other
smaller tombs. Proceeding in this direction would bring them to the Forest Inspection hut
and the windy point from where one can enjoy the view of the scenic Satpura mountains
and the Gullarghat village in the valley below.
20
For those leisurely visitors, they can then walk down the circular forest road that runs
through the nine yard canon, forest watchtower, Mot Talao, Dhobi Talao, Imli Talao and
the Delhi Gate and come out near the Forest Hut. For those with more time on their
hands, the downhill trek of 40 minute to 1 hour will take them to Gullarghat village where
an Interpretation Center and camping huts are available. From Gullarghat village the
Dhargad Temple is just a few kilometers away. Dhargad also has a two room Forest Rest
House.
The Cave Shrine of Lord Shiva at Dhargad

The Mahadev temple at Dhargad is a popular place of pilgrimage for thousands of
devotees. Every year on the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan (Month of
August) thousands of people walk miles for a Darshan at the temple. All the pilgrims that
approaches the temples from several entry points then treks through the mountains and
the forts of Narnala, finally exiting at Shahanur village.
21
All these features make Narnala a hotspot from the Ecotourism point of view. The
Sanctuary caters to the varied needs of people with diverse interests.
Thousands of untold stories for historians
Nature in all its varied seasonal glory for naturalists
Shanti for those in search of peace & spiritual solace.
Raw adventure for action buffs.
Continuity with Wan and Melghat for leisurely people with more time.
Well-trodden trek routes from Shahanur to the Fort, Fort to Dhargad, Gullarghat
etc.
Proposed components of the scheme indicating a tentative percentage cost of
each component (Subject to need based site specific deviations)
(a) Forest & tourism activities (Within sanctuary area)
(b) Tourism related income-generating activities
25%
25%
(c) Capacity building, Training & awareness creation
10%
(d) Packaging and publicity of destination
05%
(e) Renovations/creation of basic infrastructure
15%
(f) Ethnic & Nature Information complex / Exhibition Cottage 20%

Proposed Activities
Sl.
Name of Activities
Remarks/ Justification
No
1
Development of Nature Trails
Provision of drinking water
The existing trek routes would be improved, resting

sheds, wastebaskets, drinking water facilities etc would
be provided.
Narnala is a rocky plateau with no natural source of
drinking water except for the Rainwater Harvesting
tanks. The water from these tanks would be pumped
and purified for drinking purpose through use of solar
energy.
Artificial water holes would be constructed at strategic
places for better wildlife sighting. Water would be
pumped and distributed through well-laid pipelines.
A low cost solid waste and night soil management
sanitation system would be set in place for convenience
of tourists.
Only minor and critical repairs would be done for
(Pumping & Purification)
Creation of water holes for

better wildlife sighting
Low Cost, environment friendly

sanitation system for tourists
Minor repairs / maintenance to
22
roads
Machangs/
Watchtowers/
visitors safety and easy conveyance.

For greater satisfaction of tourists.
Sunset points for nature and

7
wildlife viewing
Arboretum garden based on
Korku traditions
Creation of ethnic Paying Guest

Accommodation in villages
Low Cost, environment friendly

sanitation system for tourists in
10
the village
Nature &
11
souvenir items
Establishment of
ethnicity
based
Souvenir items like local handicraft items, postcards, TShirts, Caps etc would be procured.
educational
A nature and wildlife based educational childrens park

would be established where children can play and learn
about nature.
This would be established near the entrance of the
sanctuary. The village Self Help Groups would be
encouraged to run the canteen.
An information Center will be set up at Akot in the forest
colony near the main road.
This will be done on based on the need and capacity of
people and after assessing the marketability of the
products
Childrens Park
13
Tribal
canteen
with
ethnic
cuisines
14
Information Center
15
Training
of
local
people
in
handicraft, Income generation

16
activities like apiculture etc

Training/ Exposure trips
for
forest staffs and villagers.

17
Nature awareness camps and

programs for women and school
18
children
Publicity
19
Packaging of destination
20
Renovation & extension of FRH

at Akot
21
Improvement of the reception

cell at Shahanur gate
22
Repair and maintenance of the

tourist Mini Bus for conveyance
23
of visitors
Establishment
of
To enlighten tourist about the rich traditions of the

korkus specially their Traditional Healthcare System
based on wild plants.
The villagers would be given incentives to make
traditional huts with standard WCs for the
accommodation of tourists through Revolving Fund
created under this project.
A low cost solid waste and night soil management
sanitation system would be set in place for convenience
of tourists.
Ethnic
Nature interpretation Complex.
&
Forest staff as well as villagers would be taken to

identified sites with successful Ecotourism programs,
JFM sites, self sufficient villages etc
Nature camps would be organized for school children of
Akola district at Narnala and at Shahanur. Other
programs would be conducted for women on nature,
health and sanitation etc.
Brochures, pamphlets, calendars, booklets, stickers etc
would be procured.
Launching of website, placing of pictorial signages of
Narnala at strategic sites in the district.
The Forest Rest House would be renovated and
extensions made to provide more camping space for
tourists and guests invited for different programs under
this project
The existing reception cell would be improved in such a
way that it projects the historical and ethnic diversity of
the sanctuary
The State Transport runs only one bus service from Akot
to Shahanur. Hence the Mini Bus of the division would
be repaired and used for conveyance of tourists/
schoolchildren from Akot to Narnala.
This complex would be made at Shahanur/ Akot
subjected to site availability. All relevant information on
nature, wildlife and tribal culture would be projected.
23
24
Cultural programs
25
Ropeways/ Cable cars
This would involve dance & drama programs,

competitions, sports etc to showcase various ethnic
traditions and culture.
As Environment friendly conveyance system and an
added attraction for tourists
Some places of attraction accessible from Narnala

Wan Wildlife Sanctuary through which the river Wan flows.
A view of Wan River from the Forest Inspection Hut
24
Campfire & Camping site of Wan Sanctuary
The dam over the river Wan that supplies drinking water to Akot and Akola cities
25
The More than 400 years old Hanuman Temple at Wari
More photos of Narnala Sanctuary
26
The
Mahakali Gate also known as Naksha Gate, Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary
27
The Moti Masjid silhouetted against the sunset
28

Narnala Wild Life Sanctuary by Ms Imtienla Ao

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Narnala Wild Life Sanctuary by Ms Imtienla Ao

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Welcome

Kham Talao: Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary

Akot WildLife Division

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

HISTORY OF NARNALA FORT

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

Pilgrims return after paying tribute at the Burhanuddin Tomb

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

Shakkar Talao holds water throughout the year even today:

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

The nine-yard Canon of Narnala

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

The Bajrangbali Temple still attracts pilgrims every year

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

AHMAD SHAH VISITS BERAR AND REPAIRS NARNALA

The intricately carved Mahakali Gate

Ms Imtienla Ao IFS. Deputy Conservator of Forest. Akot WildLife Division, Akot.Maharashtra.

way for an open declaration of his independence by repairing and strengthening