The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is the oldest and largest national park in Maharashtra. Located in Chandrapur district just 150 kms away from Nagpur Maharashtra, it was created in 1955. The total area of the reserve is 625.4 sq.ms that includes the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary covering 577.96 sq.kms of reserved forest and 32.51 sq.kms of protected forest. Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was created in the adjacent forests in 1986. In 1995, the park and the sanctuary were merged to establish the present tiger reserve. The reserve also includes 14.93 sq.kms of uncategorised land.
“Tadoba” name is taken from the name of the god “Tadoba” or “Taru”, worshipped by the tribal people who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari region, while “Andhari” refers to Andhari river that meanders through the forest. The national park is known for one of the highest density of tigers in India. Legend goes that Taru was a village chief who was killed in a encounter with a tiger. Taru was deified and a shrine dedicated to Taru now exists beneath a large tree on the banks of Tadoba Lake spread over 120 hectares, which is frequented by Adivasis, especially during month of Pausha (December–January). Tadoba Lake acts as a buffer between the park’s forest and the extensive farmland which extends up to Irai water reservoir. This lake is a perennial water source which offers a good habitat for crocodiles to thrive. Another wetland areas within the reserve includes the Kolsa Lake beside the Andhari river.
Tadoba covers the Chimur Hills, and Andhari covers the Moharli and Kolsa ranges. Covered with densely forested hills, thick forests, smooth meadows and deep valleys the cliffs, and caves provide refuge for several animals. The two forested rectangles are formed of the Tadoba and Andhari ranges. The south part of the park is less hilly than the remainder. Winters stretch from November to February; during this season, daytime temperatures are in the 25°–30 °C range and the park is lush green, starting from October winter lasts till February.
While summers are extremely hot in Tadoba, with the temperature rising to 47 °C, it is the ideal time to sight tigers near lakes as vegetation is minimal, as such thew best time to visit is from the month of April to June. The monsoon season begins in June when the park terrain becomes inaccessible is closed to visitors, till September and only the buffer zone is open for the tourists. The park is open for visitors from 15th October to 30th June every season and remains full-day closed on every Tuesday. The visit to Tadoba National Park in monsoon is a sheer bliss where you can witness a completely different Tadoba.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a predominantly southern tropical dry deciduous forest with dense woodlands much of the protected area. Teak, ain, bija, dhauda, black plum and arjun are some of the tropical trees that grow in this reserve. Patches of grasses and bamboo thickets grow throughout the reserve. Also, many trees with medicinal value are found in the forested area. There are about 150 tigers in the reserve, and forests outside the reserve. Besides the tiger, Tadoba Tiger Reserve is home to other mammals, including Indian leopards, sloth bears, gaur, nilgai, dhole, striped hyena, small Indian civet, jungle cats, sambar, barking deer, chital, chausingha and honey badger. Reptiles here include the endangered Indian python and the common Indian monitor. Terrapins, Indian star tortoise, Indian cobra and Russel’s viper also live in Tadoba.
The lake contains a wide variety of water bird. The national park is home to numerous species if birds of prey such as raptors. grey-headed fish eagle, the crested serpent eagle, and the changeable hawk-eagle. Other bird species found in the reserve include the orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, crested treeswift, stone curlew, crested honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, bronze-winged jacana, lesser goldenbacked woodpecker, various warblers. Various species of butterflies, insects are also found in the reserve.
The main attraction of the Tadoba National Park is Jungle safari or Tiger Safari in an open-top gypsy. Cattle grazing and forest fires are issues that affect the survivability of the forest. Visitors can do boating, kayaking, camping and lot more while visiting the national park. Accommodation facilities are available near the entrance of Kohra gate and Mohurli gate. Besides the national park, tourist can also visit the Erai dam, Ramdegi temple and Mahatma Gandhi’s Sewagram Ashram.
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