Excited to gain information about Tadoba? So, Tadoba National Park is a wild place where animals like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, hyenas, and many types of deer and birds live in their natural habitat. This park was made for the conservation of these animals and it’s like a home for these animals. Tadoba National Park has a number of varieties of plants and also it has various water bodies which make it a perfect habitat for the wildlife living inside it.
bird species
species mammals
Tiger population
This park is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra which is a big state in India. If you are a wildlife enthusiast or a nature lover then the good news for you is that you can come to this park to enjoy the sightings of these wild animals. It’s a nice place promoting tourism so that people can learn about the importance of conservation and enjoy the thrill of going inside a jungle. It is one of the oldest and largest reserves in Maharashtra with an area of 625.4 km².
Tadoba National Park is widely famous among people and many tourists visit this park, even from different countries. This park is a part of a tiger reserve and it is also known as Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. The area of the whole tiger reserve is 625.4 km² and Tadoba National Park is a part of the whole reserve with an area of 116.55 square kilometres. The park was established back in the year 1955. The name of this scenic park is taken from the name of God “Tadoba” or “Taru” who is praised by the locals. The term Andhari is taken from the Andhari river that flows in this area.
This park has a rich history that dates back to decades ago. There is a mythological story that is widely famous among people of this area, according to that, there was a man who became a deity. Once upon a time, there was a respected village headman named Taru and he was battling against a tiger. In conclusion, some people say that Taru defeated the tiger, and others believe that it was Taru, despite his valiance, who was killed. In the end, that man passed and became a legend, a shrine was made in his respect. After that, the surrounding lakes and that forested area were named after him. That’s why the name “Taru” Or “Tadoba” came.
After getting information about the name, let’s know the history of this place. It was first ruled by the Gond kings for several years. They ruled much area of central India and Tadoba was part of that area. After them, the Marathas established their rule in the 18th century, and a century later, this place came under the British Raj.
The main aim of the Britishers was to protect the timber stocks, however, they started wildlife conservation in the area. They declared this area as a reserve forest in 1879 and the shooting of tigers was stopped in 1905. Only people with special permits were allowed to shoot the tigers. Then in 1931, restrictions were placed on the shooting of all wildlife of this area. Along with Tadoba Lake, a total area of 116.54 square kilometers was designated as a sanctuary in 1935.
But then in 1942, hunting started again and the area was declared a game reserve, with Moharli, Karwa, Kalsa, and Mul being the designated shooting blocks. People just need to take permits and then they would enjoy shooting games. After some years, in 1955, this place was designated as a national park.
It was a national park, but its forests, grasslands, and wildlife continued to suffer due to overexploitation, extensive cultivation, hunting, and poaching. After the British Raj ended, it came under the Indian government. In the 1970s the four hunting blocks were closed by the government, however, illegal hunting continued. Furthermore, in 1986, the forest land adjoining the national park was notified as the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The national park and the adjoining wildlife sanctuary merged in 1933 and it all became Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
This place is known among people for its temples and coal mines. It is just 45 km from the park and tourist attractions of this place include Mahakali Temple, Anandwan, and Bhadrawati Jain Temple. Other than this,
DetailsIt’s a natural wonder that draws the attention of most of the tourists who come to this park. People can enjoy birdwatching at this lake and also they can spend time with family by
DetailsThis spot is around 70 km from the park and it is highly famous among people for its cultural heritage and industrial development. This place has got some ancient temples and also modern factories that draw
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Teak and Bamboo are the most common trees that are found in the area of Tadoba National Park. In the denser area of the forest, trees like Alex wood and flame of the forest are found. While near the lakes and watering holes, mangoes, Arjun, and black plum trees are found. Also, many wild deciduous trees like Tendu, Salai, Bor Bel, Semal, Crepe myrtle (Mahua Machuca), crocodile bark (Ain), Dhauda, Hirda, Hald, Lanneacormandelica, Chichwa, Mowai, Rohan, Dhawada, Phetra, Surya, Karaya Gum, Sisoo, Sirus, Shivan, Jamun, Bel, Char, Ber, Harra, tamarind, and Kusum Mahua, Shisham, are found inside the Tadoba. Other useful trees found in this scenic park are Ain, Semal, Shisham, and Kusum.
The grassland area of this scenic park has various medicinal plants such as velvet Bean Creepers, Bija, Ceylon Satinwood, Bheria, Neem, Beheda, Orthosiphon Rubicundus, and Heria. Furthermore, this park is home to more than 28 varieties of shrubs with 17 climber species. They are Cryptolepis Buchanani, Aristolochia Indica, Helicteres Isora, Grewia Rothii, and Grewia Hirsuta which provide food for various animals and birds, contributing to the biodiversity of Tadoba National Park.
A total of 159 species of herbaceous plants are also there in this floral place and some common species are Grange Maderaspatana, Lathyrus Sativus, Urginea Indica, Chlorophytum Tuberosum, Orthosiphon Rubicundus, Scilla Hyacynthiana, Melilotus Alba, Curculigo Orchioides, Curcuma Angustifolia, Chlorophytum Laxum, Murdannia Edulis, and Coldenia Procumbens. These herbs are food for various types of animals and insects in this huge park.
Some weeds can also be found here such as Lantana Camara, Parthenium Hysterophorus also known as Congress Grass, Ipomoea Carnea, Eichhornia Crassipes, Ageratum Conyzoides, Hyptissuaveolens, etc.
It is also a home for several species of reptiles that can be easily seen here such as the Marsh crocodile, Russell's Viper, Terrapins, Indian Cobra, different Snakes, the Common Indian monitor, Indian python, Krait, and Indian Star tortoise which can be easily found in the scenic lakes of this wild area.
Photographers should definitely come to this park as they can spot more than 195 species of birds and take nice pictures of them. Common ones that are found here easily include Crested serpent eagle, warblers, Stone curlew, Black-naped blue flycatcher, Crested Treeswift, shy jungle fowl, Indian scimitar babbler, peacock, painted Francolin, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, Orange-Headed Thrush, Crested Honey Buzzard, Changeable hawk-eagle, Asian Paradise flycatcher, Bronze-Winged Jacana, Grey-headed fish eagle, Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker, plum headed parakeet, Gray jungle fowl, mottled wood owl, Indian pitta, Bonelli’s eagle, pipits, Malabar pied hornbill, golden oriole, brown fish owl, drongos, larks, and Munias with many more.
This park has a lot of herbs and because of that many types of insects are found here such as Monarch, Swordtails, danaid egg fly, great egg fly, praying mantis, Pansies, Mormons, stick insects, dragonflies, Jewel beetles, giant wood spiders, signature spiders, redwood spiders, lynx spiders, crab spiders, and wolf spiders with many more. Make sure to come with a guide so that you can spot these insects without any problem.
Winter season is the most suitable time to visit this scenic park. During this time, most of the tourists prefer to visit this wild area because the weather remains cool and pleasant. Kids don’t feel irritated because of the heat and also people can enjoy their safaris to the fullest. Other than that, from November to February, most of the migratory birds visit this area. Tigers also remain active during the winter months.
Summer is also a nice time to visit this area if you don’t have any problem with heat. Many animals can be seen near water bodies for drinking from them. This is the prime time for sightings of animals as many of them can be easily spotted near lakes and Talao of this huge area.
During monsoon, only zones 6 to 10 remain open. This is also a good time to visit this park because of its scenic greenery but it can be closed because of heavy rains. Inquiring before coming is advised.
Tadoba National Park can be explored through jeep safari only. Canter safaris were also allowed in the past but now only jeep safaris are allowed by the forest department to explore this wild area.
JEEP SAFARI
This safari will let you explore all the zones of this huge park. Jeep safaris are best for exploring a park as they are short in height and can easily go to smaller routes. A jeep safari can easily accommodate 6 people
and take them deep inside the Jungle on narrow routes.
The most suitable way to explore Tadoba National Park is a jeep safari and this safari also happens at night time. One can spot animals like Tigers, Hyenas, spotted deer, wild boars, barking deer, Gray languor, Leopard, etc.
from close because of the short height of the Jeep Safari. It’s a thrilling ride on wheels and will be adventurous for around 3 hours inside the jungle.
One can make a regular booking of a jeep safari, 120 days before the travel date or it also allows one to make a Tatkal booking, 3 days before the actual date. Before booking a safari, remember that the core zones of the park remain closed on Tuesday and buffer zones remain closed on Wednesday.