Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

About Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

You talk about the oldest and largest National Park of the western India and the name “Tadoba National Park”, will pop up in the minds of wildlife lovers. It is also known as the “Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve”. This reserve is one of India’s 47 project tiger existing reserves. Situated in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state, it is close to Nagpur city and it is two hours drive from the city. It can be reached by flight via Nagpur. The reserve was created in 1955 with a total area of the tiger reserve is 1,727 Sq.km, which includes the Tadoba National Park primarily. There is an adjacent wildlife sanctuary, Andhari Wildlife which was formed in the year 1986. Later on this sanctuary too was made a part of the present Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. The first word ‘Tadoba’ is tribal name for God “Tadoba” or “Taru,” fondly called so by the local tribal people. The second word, “Andhari” comes from the river that flows by the area. 

Thanks to the conservation drive, and local as well as administrative support, there are about 43 tigers in the reserve. According to the 2010 National Census on Tigers, it is one of the highest in India. 

Geographical Distinction

The Tadoba National Park is split into three separate forest ranges, in the north it constitutes of the Tadoba north range. In the south it is formed by Kolsa range, while the Morhurli range forms the middle section between these two rangers.  It is surrounded by two lakes and one river. These waterbodies get filled every monsoon, and provide the essential vitality required by the lives in and around the park for sustained living and thriving.

Park Features

• Like any other park, the park is closed during the monsoon. It opens for visitors from 15th October and remains open till 30th June before the advent of monsoon, every season. The park remains closed every Tuesday.
• The park boasts of rich vegetation thanks to its Tadoba forest and its dry tropical deciduous area in the south. It is spread in approximately 626 sq.km area.
• There are small lakes replete in the region alongside the river making it conducive for living due to its rich water resources.
• Because of its many hillocks and uneven terrains the wild animals receive shelter.
• It is populated with teak treas. Its dense forest area is full of smooth meadows, unassailable valleys, and a highly conducive environment to support increasing numbers of tigers.
• Jungle safari or tiger safari in an open top gypsy is the main attraction of the Tadoba National Park
• Besides spotting the tigers, the visitors always have a good chance to spot the shy Sloth Bear and Wild Dogs.
• Some of Central India’s best native woodland bird species can be spotted in this forest.
• The park has its popular entrance gates i.e. Kolara Gate and Mohurli Gate. It has adequate Accommodation facilities which is mainly concentrated among these two places.

Fauna & Flora

Some of the famous and widely seen flora of this park make it remarkable place to visit. Its plants include plants like Teak, Ain, Bija, and Dhauda. It also grows variety of Hald, Salai, Semal, Tendu, and Beheda. The reserve has some of the plants known for its medicinal properties like, Hirda, Karaya gum, Mahua Madhuca, Arjun, Bamboo, Bheria, Black Plum, and many others.

Besides the roaring Tigers, this park is also home to Indian leopards, Sloth bears, Gaur, Nilgai, Dhole, Striped Hyena. Visitors can also cath the sight of small Indian Civet, Jungle Cats, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Chital, Marsh Crocodile, etc. In reptiles the land is full of Indian Python, Indian Cobra etc. In amphibian it has got varieties. In avian lives, it is home to Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Peacock, Jewel Beetles, Wolf Spiders, etc.