Gautala Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Gautala Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary protects forested hills in the Satmala and Ajanta ranges north of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. It was declared in 1986 and takes its name from the Gautala and Autramghat peaks. The sanctuary is managed for conservation and low-impact tourism, and is close to the Ellora Caves.

The deciduous forest shelters leopards, sloth bears, wild boar and several kinds of deer, and more than 240 bird species have been noted. Over 50 medicinal plants grow here, long used by local tribal people. Old temples and shrines are scattered through the woods, and local belief holds that the goddess Gautala guards the animals and punishes poachers. During British rule, freedom fighters are said to have used the dense forest as a hideout.