Biodiversity of Maharashtra

Maharashtra state symbols

State Animal : Indian Giant Squirrel

State Bird : Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

State Fruit : Mango

State Flower : Lagerstroemia

State Dance : Lavani

State Sport : Kabaddi

The flora of Maharashtra is heterogeneous in composition. As of 2012, recorded thick forest area in the state is 61,939 km 2 (23,915 sq mi) which is about 20.13% of the state's geographical area. There are 3 main Public Forestry Institutions (PFIs) in the
Maharashtra state viz. the Maharashtra Forest Department (MFD), the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) and the Directorate of Social Forestry (SFD). The flora of regions such as Nag region formed by Nagpur , districts , districts and Gadchiroli and the plateau of Vidarbha composed by Wardha , Amravati , Yavatmal, Akola and Buldhana . Most of the forests are found in the Sahyadri region and are very dense. These forests are confined to areas which have low annual rainfall (50–70 cm), a mean annual temperature of 25-27 °C and low humidity. Some of forest areas are converted into wildlife reserves thus preserving the biodiversity.

Maharashtra is known for its extensive avifauna . Maharashtra is said to have 3 game reserves, 5 national parks and 24 bird sanctuaries. Wild sanctuaries in the state include Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary , Bor Wildlife Sanctuary , Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary , Chandoli National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

The most common animals which are found in the state are Tigers , Black panthers , Leopards , Gaur , Sloth bears, Sambar, Four-headed antelope , Blue Bull, Chital , Barking deer, Mouse deer, Civet cats, Jackals , Jungle cats , Spotted hyena, and Hare. Other animals in the state include reptiles such as lizards, cobras and kraits . The national parks of Maharashtra possess a variety of plant species that include Jamun , Palas , Shisam , Neem , Teak , Dhawada , Kalam, Saja / Ain , Bija, Shirish , Mango , Acacia , Awala , Kadamba , Moha , Acacia , Terminalia , Hedu and Ficus.