Renukoot lies in the southeast-most part of Uttar Pradesh and is located next to Shakti Nagar, Anpara at an average elevation of 283 MSL. Renukoot is also surrounded by thick cover of well-preserved forests that keep the temperatures comparatively low especially after the rains. The Hathinala forests of Renukoot forest division owes its name to a main drainage hilly rivulet, "HATHINALA", is the representative of Vindhyan Forests and is rich in keystone species of Hardwickia binnata which is rare and endemic to this area whiah is a proposed bio-diversity hot spot. The area is very rich in bio-diversity owing to presence of wide spectrum of fauna and flora. Hathinala Bio Diversity Hotspot is situated on Reewa-Ranchi Road NH 75E road and it is 54km from Sonebhadra district head quarter, Robertsganj and 17km. from Renukoot forest division head quarter. The Hathinala Forests of the Renukoot forest Division owes its name to a main drainage hilly rivulet. "HATHINALA" is the representative of Vindhya Forests. The forest area under consideration is the hilly catchments area of the "HATHINALA" with Dry Peninsular Sal Forests (5B/C1) in slope along Hathinala and subsidiary rivulets, Northern Dry-mixed Deciduous Forests (5B/C1) in the tops of the hills and ridges mixed with Hardwickia binnata(Parsiddh) Forest (5/E4). The forest is rich in Keystone species of Hardwickia binnata which is rare and endemic to the proposed bio-diversity hot spot. The area is very rich in bio-diversity owing to presence of wide spectrum of fauna and flora.

The village have mostly tribal populations mainly of Gond, Kharwar, Chero/Baiga etc. The communities traditionally have forest rights of collection of NWFP mainly tendu leaves, Mahua, Chironji, gums, Honey, medicinal herbs and plants and fuel wood etc. The village community comprises mostly BPL forest dependent households. The community has shown their interest in managing the area with hope of increasing their income from their participation in ecotourism which pave the way of sustainable management of ecosystem and conservation of biodiversity.

Summers peak in May and June. Rain starts around third week of June. Hathinala is 1,400 feet above sea level, with nearby hills exceeding 2000 feet. This makes the weather in Renukoot and in Hathinala much less humid than in the nearby plain cities such as Varanasi and Mirzapur. Hathinala is also surrounded by thick well-preserved forests that keep the temperatures down- especially after the rain. Temperature tends to fall in the evening after sunset in the summer, making it much more pleasant in May and June as compared to cities such as a Varanasi and Lucknow. Once the rains start in July, the weather becomes much milder than in the plains of U.P, with low humidity, and pleasant temperatures in the evening falling into the low 20s. The weather is very pleasant from Dussehra to Holi, with the minimum temperatures between mid-December to mid-January dropping close to freezing (rarely dipping below zero degrees Celsius). Day time maximum in winter tends to be in the high teens in peak winter and low 20s in November and February. Humidity tends to be very low making the winters very pleasant. The lack of many big cities makes the nearby forests ideal for star-gazing.

Hathinala is located at 24°17'59.76"N to 83°06'25.40"E.It has an average elevation of 283 metres (931 feet). Renukoot lies in the southeast-most part of Uttar Pradesh. The hotspot has an area of 4003-16 ha. Spread in Duddhi and Pipri Ranges.

The top canopy of forest area comprises of Sal, Asna, Mahua, Haldu, Salai, Parsiddha, Kari, Sandan, Jigan, vijaysal etc. Middle canopy comprises of Tendu, Khair, Siddha, Aonla, Piyar (Chiraunji), Kaoraiya, Dhaura, Kharhar etc. The ground flora and understorey comprises of Dhansai, Jharberi, Marorphal, Girhul (Neel), Manphal, Vantulsi etc. The lantana has also invaded the slope. The Climbers found are Gurch, Majurain, Panibel etc. Various medicinal plants such as satawar, Vanpyaj, Ram datum etc. are also found in this forests.

The area has healthy population of Chinkara and Hyena and Wild bore.Sambhars are also occasionally seen. The nallah beds and slope are very rich in avifauna. Thrush is also seen in this area. The paradise flycatcher migrates in to this area for breeding during March to July. The area is also very rich in insects and flies, reptiles like monitor lizards, Chameleons. Rat snake, Cobra, vipers and craits are very common.

Frequent bus services from the Varanasi and Mirzapur. It is also connected with train. Renukoot and Chopan is the major railway station which is nearby to Hathinala. Renukoot has a railway station which is connected to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jammu, Ranchi, Patna, Jabalpur, and Bhopal.