Mrugavani National Park

Mrugavani National Park lies near Chilkur in Moinabad, on the outskirts of Hyderabad in Ranga Reddy district. The name joins the Telugu words for deer and forest, and deer are its main draw, with herds of spotted deer, blackbuck and barking deer. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1994, and it protects a patch of the native Deccan vegetation that is fast disappearing around the city.

The forest is mostly southern tropical dry deciduous, with grassland, woodland and old Deccan rock. Sambar, wild boar, jungle cat, civet, mongoose, monitor lizard, python and Russell's viper are found, along with more than 100 bird species such as peafowl, lapwings, warblers and flowerpeckers. Guided safaris, nature trails with medicinal plants, viewpoints and a watch tower are on offer, and camping is possible. A library, education centre, museum and auditorium are inside the park.