Chikhaldara is in Amaravati district of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. It is believed that its name is derived from Keechaka. This hill station is the only hill station, which offers the tourists lots of wildlife, viewpoints, lakes and waterfalls in the Vidharba region. This is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Heechaka in a Herculean bout and threw him into a valley. It came to be known as Keechakadara - Chikhaldara.This place is the only coffee-growing area in Maharashtra. Chikhaldara is full of deep valleys, and these valleys are full of velvet mist and majestic trees. Abundance of natural scenery, exciting wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and placid lake make the hill station a perfect site for summer retreat. Close by is the famous Melghat Tiger Project which has 82 tigers.
Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Chikhaldara and Dharni tehsils of Amaravati district in Satpuda hill range. This tiger reserve of 1676.93-sq-km is one of the last remaining habitats of Indian tiger in Maharashtra.Tiger Project is started in the year 1973 at Melghat. Large area of the forest is covered under this project. The area of this Tiger Project is spread from Narnala Fort up to Dhakana, Semadhoh, Raipur, Doma. The 25kms long road , from Chikhaldara to Semadhoh is going through the deep & dense forest. We can feel fresh, when we just go through that way . We can see wild animals like Peacock, Dear, Wolf, Pig Gourus etc. when we go through that way.The Tiger Project Resort is situated at semadhoh.There is a arrangement of mini bus on 4'o clock in the evining and on 5'o clock in the morning for wondering inside the reserved area of the forest. In this reserved area of forest we can see the various wild animal like Leopard, Tiger, Beer, Wild Buffalo, Deer, Wolf, Snakes and various Birds.
