Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary

About:
The Maharashtra government has declared 217.30 hectares of reserve forest at Rehekuri in District Ahmednagar(Karjat taluka) as a sanctuary for the endangered Blackbuck, locally known as ‘Kalvit’.
The wildlife authorities had initiated a project with a small Blackbuck population (15) in the 1980s; the population has shot up to about 400. The Blackbuck, found only in India, has suffered a serious decline in numbers all over the country in the past few decades. According to a forest range officer of the sanctuary, a population of 40 lakhs in the 19th century has recently receded to 4 lakhs (Editorial note: the basis for these figures, which seem grossly exaggerated, is unclear). He attributes illegal poaching by tribals as one of the reasons for this considerable reduction in the Blackbuck population.

Fauna:
The area is rich in grassland fauna. The main species are Antilope cervicapra Linn (Blackbuck), Gazelia bennetti (Chinkara), Canis lupus (Wolf), Vulpes bengalensis (Indian Fox).

Transport:
BY AIR – Airport – Pune (150 km.),BY RAIL – Railway Station – Daund (70 Km.),BY ROAD – The nearest bus stand is at Karjat ( 8 km.)

Weather:
There are three distinct seasons.Summer is from February to middle of June.The monsoon starts from mid-June and lasts till October.Winter starts in October with low temperatures in December/January.

Best Time To Visit:
August to January

Accommodation:
accommodation facilities by state government,forest guest house.

Nearby Excursions:
Lord Ganesh temple at Siddhatek (30kms.),Rashin Devi temple at Rashin (20kms.)