Even though it was established six decades ago, the TadobaAndhari Tiger Reserve remains one of the lesser-known haunts of the famed Royal Bengal Tiger. Situated in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, it is the state’s oldest as well as largest national park. As one of the country’s 43 designated Project Tiger reserves, it continues to play a stellar role in conservation of this magnificent beast.
Visitors to Tadoba can get up and close with tigers quite easily, and the national park is slowly acquiring quite a reputation for relatively easier tiger sightings. Spread over 625.40 sq. km it is home to 43 tigers that move about freely, as well as an amazing collection of other fauna and flora. It is a common saying about Tadoba that unlike other tiger reserves it is not about whether tourists will get to see a glimpse of a tiger but how many they will actually be able to spot in the span of their trip.
The History and Legend of Tadoba
The story behind the naming of Tadoba is extremely fascinating; Tadoba is actually the name of a God that is venerated by the locals and tribalthat live in the dense forests of the region, through which, the Andhari River meanders. According to legend, Tadoba or Taru, as he was also known, was the chieftain who was killed by a ferocious tiger in a mythological encounter. Now a shrine dedicated to him lies on the shores of the Tadoba Lake, and this is of great religious significance to the local population. There’s even a fair held annually in the winter.
The forests adjoining the Chimur Hills were ruled by the Gond kings. While hunting was declared to be illegal in 1935, it was only two decades later, an area of 116.54 km2 was designated a National Park. In 1986, the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the adjacent area, and the park and the sanctuary merged in 1995 to form the present tiger reserve covering 1727 km2.
Amazing Flora
The forest cover in Tadoba is primarily deciduous with the forest covering around 87% of the area under protection. While teak treas are to be found in abundance, other trees like ain, dhauda, salai, tendu, hald, behead, karaya gum, hirda, mahua, and bija can also be found in great profusion. Tourists will find the presence of Axlewood extremely fascinating as it is fire-resistant.
At a certain time of the year the entire forest erupts in vibrant color with the orange bloom of the flame of the forest. The black plum trees that grow in plenty around the Tadoba Lake are also a great source of wonder. You can get more details of the Tadoba flora and fauna at http://tigersheavenresort.co.in/.
It is difficult not to be overawed by the dense thickets of bamboo and patches of verdant grasses that dry in the heat of the summer sun and give a better opportunity to spot the tiger, and other animals. Many of the plants found here have medicinal value; for example, the velvet bean climber is used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, while the leaves of the bheria plant yield an effective insecticide.
Remarkable Fauna
Understandably the tiger is the top draw of Tadoba, with the large population making it relatively easy for tiger-spotters to go back with wonderful memories. The forest guides, available to conduct the safaris on four-wheel drive jeeps, and mini buses, have an uncanny knowledge of their habits and habitat, and will most often be able to get you that sighting that can be so elusive in other national parks.
The forest abounds with Indian leopards, jungle cats, Indian civets, sloth bears, striped hyenas, as well as a lot many members of the deer family, such as nilgai, gaur, spotted deer, chital, barking deer, and the magnificent chausingha.
Among the great wonders are the marsh crocodiles that you can spot in the lake, and a great variety of reptilian life such as the Indian python (endangered), Indian cobra, as well as the deadly Russel’s Viper besides the more docile common Indian monitor, Indian star tortoise, and terrapins. More than 195 species of avian life and 74 types of butterflies will have you wishing for more time.
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Nice write up….more pictures would be interesting to see :)