Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary: An Ecological Hotspot

Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary is an ecological hotspot near Mumbai. It is not a wildlife Sanctuary you might expect, with a safari and all. The area is rather known for its rich diversity, both in flora & fauna. 

The sanctuary is named after Tansa Lake, which supports the surrounding ecosystem. The lake also provides a significant amount of water to Mumbai as well.

The sanctuary is known for the road that takes you to it. A beautiful small journey through a dense forest, covered with trees all around. It is especially an amazing experience in monsoons, with waterfalls in your way.

Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary is known for the birds it hosts. The main attraction among them is the forest owlet. Some other common birds are:

Apart from this, the forest is also home to the critically endangered Gyps species of vultures & the endangered Pallas’s Fish-Eagle.

There are also a wide range of animals seen over here. To name a few:

• Langur (लंगूर – Langur)
• Barking Deer (काकर – Kakad)
• Leopard (चित्ता – Chitta)
• Panther (तेंदुआ – Tendua)
• Hyena (हायना – Hayna)
• Sambar (सांबर – Sambar)
• Mouse Deer (चुहामृग – Chuha Mrig)
• Chital (चितळ – Chital)
• Four-horned Antelope (चौसिंगा – Chousingha)
• Jackal (सियार – Siyar)
• Wild Boar (जंगली सुअर – Jangli Suar)

These animals (& birds) are to seen only if it’s your day. So make sure to carry your luck with you.

Also, try to visit the main attraction of the area, the Tansa lake. Although visitors could previously access the banks of the lake, barricades have now been installed. So the views of the lake are now visible from a distance of 50 meters. Although, you could try to convince the authorities (or figure a way out).

There is a dam nearby (Tansa Dam) which is also a popular tourist attraction to visit. Accessibility, though, depends on the water volume and the intensity of the monsoon at that time.

I suggest you to carry enough staple food & water with you. The area lacks the proper resources of that sort. I’d also like to suggest you to avoid visiting in summers. There is no point, or fun, in visiting Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary in hot climates.

Also, if you wish to stay for the night, you can book a guest house in the Tanasa. Although, you need to book it offline. Get in touch with Thane Forest Department for more info.

That said, I want to reiterate that Tansa is not your usual wildlife sanctuary with jeeps and jungle safaris. It is a dense forest that hosts a lot of animals, & especially birds.

Tansa wildlife sanctuary can be an ideal 1 day outing in monssons, if you wish to take some time off and relax in nature. And if you’re a photographer, this might just be the ideal spot for your portfolio.

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