Tadoba National Park

The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is made up of Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district, approximately 150 kilometres from Nagpur. The tiger reserve covers 1,727 square kilometres and includes the Tadoba National Park, which was established in 1955. In 1986, the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was established, and in 1995, it was merged with the park to form the current Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve. The name "Tadoba" or "Taru" is derived from the name of God "Tadoba" or "Taru," which is praised by the local tribal people of this region, and "Andhari" is derived from the name of the Andhari river, which flows through this area.

 

The Tadoba Region was designated as a national park in 1955, covering an area of 116.54 square kilometres. Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was founded next to the national park in 1986, and the two were merged in 1995 to form India's 41st Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.

 

The Tadoba National Park is divided into three forest ranges: the Tadoba north range, the Kolsa south range, and the Morhurli range, which lies between the first two. The 'Tadoba Lake,' 'Kolsa Lake,' and 'Tadoba River,' are three lakes and one river in the park that are filled every monsoon.' These lakes and rivers provide essential elements for the park's survival.

 

The park was once owned by Gond tribals, and legend has it that it was named after their local deity, ‘Taru.' In an epic battle with a tiger, ‘Taru' was killed. The word "Tadoba" is derived from the name of the God "Tadoba" or "Taru," which is revered by the tribal people who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari region, while "Andhari" is derived from the name of the Andhari River, which flows through this area.

 

Tadoba Lake serves as a buffer between the park's forest and the vast farmland that stretches all the way up to the Irai water reservoir. This lake is a year-round water source that provides ideal habitat for Muggar crocodiles.

 

The Chimur Hills are covered by the Tadoba Reserve, while the Moharli and Kolsa ranges are covered by the Andhari Sanctuary. It is bordered on two sides by densely forested hills, one on the north and one on the west.

 

Man-tiger conflict is common in the Tadoba Tiger Reserve. There have also been reports of domestic livestock being killed by wildlife.

 

There are tigers here, but leopards are more likely to be seen in the evenings, and jungle cats and civets are also frequently seen. Sloth bears, wild dogs, and hyenas, as well as Indian deer such as cheetal, nilgai, and barking deer, are among the more rare animals found in India. Langur monkeys, wild boar, gaur, jackal, and bison are all found in the area. The perennial circular lake is home to a variety of water birds, including cattle egrets, jacanas, and purple moorhens, as well as a population of marsh crocodiles. A breeding farm for the palustris species is also available.

 

Mammals – Wolf, Jackal, Wild dogs, Fox, Hyenas, Spotted Deer, Wild Boars, Barking deer, Gaurs, Four horned Antelopes, Blue bulls, Indian Pangolins, Common Languor’s, Porcupines, Sambar, Spotted deer, Rhesus macaque, Leopard, Rusty spotted cat, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Sloth bear etc.

 

Birds include the Honey Buzzard, Shy Jungle Fowl, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher, Peacock, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Painted Francolin, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Black Naped Blue Flycatcher, Plum Headed Parakeet, Gray Jungle Fowl, Bonelli's Eagle, Crest Ser

 

Reptiles – Indian python, Terrapins, Star tortoise, Cobra, Russell’s viper, Krait, Bronze tree snake, Rat snake, Leaf nosed snake, Indian Python, The fresh water crocodile, Monitor lizards etc.

 

Bamboo, Ain, Bija, Dhaudab, Haldu, Salai, Semal, Shisham, Sisoo, Surya, Sirus, Bel, Chichwa, Dhawada, Kusum, Hirda, Karaya Gum, Tendu, Char, Mahua, Palas, Harra, Bahera, Kurlu, Ber, Tendu, Char, Mahua, Palas, Harra, Bahera, Kurl