Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Maharashtra

Tadoba National Park or Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve is located in Maharashtra district. It is one among the fifty tiger reserves that are located in India. It is the largest and the oldest park in the state. The park gets its name from the tribal God worshipped in this region, Taru or Tadoba and, the river that runs through the region, Andhari. Taru was a chief in the tribal village who was killed by a tiger. He is represented as a God and a shrine has been dedicated to him on the banks of the river. Tribes in the buffer area celebrate a festival in the shrine during winter season. Tourists are however not allowed to be a part of this festival.

Dominated by teak forests and bamboo, the landscape comprises gently rolling hills interspersed with perennial lakes, grasslands and marshes. The Tiger is the apex predator here and the park has emerged as one of the finest reserves in the country to see them in their natural habitat.

Wildlife and Birdlife

Tadoba National Park is a popular tiger reserve that’s affably known as ‘The Land of Tigers’ since as much as 88 tigers are found here. Apart from the species of Bengal tiger, this park is home to other mammals like sloth bear, leopard, rusty spotted cat, gaur (Indian bison), Indian mouse deer, ratel, sambar, wild pig, spotted deer, flying squirrel, four-horned antelope, to name a few. As soon the night falls, the small Indian civet, the palm civet, the ratel, and the flying squirrel make their presence felt. Some of the major wild animals that are always found in this park include hyenas, barking deer, blue bulls, Indian pangolins, porcupines.

The rich bird life includes species like the mottled wood owl, Malabar pied hornbill, Indian scimitar babbler, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, painted francolin, Asian paradise flycatcher, white-rumped shama, golden oriole, black-naped monarch, red spurfowl, painted spurfowl and gray jungle fowl. Raptors include the Bonelli’s eagle, crested serpent eagle, oriental honey buzzard, changeable hawk eagle, white-eyed buzzard and shikra.

Quick Facts

State

Maharashtra

Area

1727 sq. km

Core Area

625 sq. km

Altitude

200 to 350 meter above sea level

Location

Chandrapur district

Temperature Range

45°C to 8°C

Annual Rainfall

1174 mm

Best time to Visit

November to April

Vegetation

Southern tropical dry deciduous teak forest

Water Resource

Tadoba and Kolsa lake, Andhari river