Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project

Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve Tadoba National Park
—  tiger reserve  —
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Sambar deer at Tadoba National Park
Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve Location of Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and India
Coordinates	20°10′N 79°24′E
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District(s)	Chandrapur district
Established	1955
Nearest city	Chandrapur 40 kilometres (25 mi) E
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area	625.4 square kilometres (241.5 sq mi)
Climate • Precipitation Temperature • Summer • Winter	Aw (Köppen) •      1,275 mm (50.2 in) •      47 °C (117 °F) •      9 °C (48 °F)
Governing body	Maharashtra Forest Department
Website	Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve

Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve is a Tiger reserves in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in central India. It is notable as Maharashtra's oldest and largest National Park. It is one of India's 41 Project Tiger Tiger reserves.

Etymology

The name 'Tadoba' is the name of the God "Tadoba" or "Taru", praised by the tribal people who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari region, while the Andhari River that meanders through the forest. gives the 'Andhari' name.

History

Legend holds that Taru was a village chief who was killed in a mythological encounter with a tiger. A shrine dedicated to the God Taru now exists beneath a huge tree, on the banks of the Tadoba Lake. The temple is frequented by adivasis, especially during the fair held every year in the Hindu month of Pausha, between December and January.

The Gond kings once ruled these forests in the vicinity of the Chimur hills. Hunting was completely banned in 1935. Two decades later, in 1955, 116.54 km² (45.00 sq mi) and declared a National Park. Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was created on the adjacent forests in 1986, and in 1995, both the park and the sanctuary were merged to establish the present Tiger Reserve.

Topography

Tadoba Andheri Reserve is the largest national park in Maharashtra. Total area of the Reserve is 625.4 square kilometres (241.5 sq mi). This includes Tadoba National Park, created in 1955 with an area of 116.55 square kilometres (45.00 sq mi) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1986 with an area of 508.85 square kilometres (196.47 sq mi). The Reserve also includes 32.51 square kilometres (12.55 sq mi) Protected Forest and 14.93 square kilometres (5.76 sq mi) 'Other areas'.

Densely forested hills form the northern and western boundary of the Tiger Reserve. The elevation of the hills ranges from 200 m (660 ft) to350 m (1,150 ft). To the southwest is the 120 ha (300 acres) Tadoba lake which 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 good habitat for Muggar crocodiles to thrive.Other wetland areas within the reserve include the Kolsa lake and Andhari river.

Tadoba reserve covers the Chimur Hills, and the Andhari sanctuary covers Moharli and Kolsa ranges. It’s bounded on the northern and the western side by densely forested hills. Thick forests are relieved by smooth meadows and deep valleys as the terrain slopes from north to south. Cliffs, talus and caves provide refuge for several animals. The two forested rectangles are formed of Tadoba and Andhari range. The south part of the park is less hilly.

Flora

Tadoba reserve is a predominantly Southern tropical Dry Deciduous Forest with dense woodlands comprising about 87 per cent of the protected area. Teakis the prdominant tree species. Other deciduous trees include Ain (crocodile bark) , Bija, Dhauda, Haldu, Salai, Semal andTendu. beheda, hirda, karaya gum, mahua Madhuca (Crepe myrtle) and Lannea coramandelica (Wodier Tree) are other common species.

Axlewood Anogeissus latifolia is a fire-resistant species growing here. Palas or Flame of the Forest Butea monosperma adds vibrant colour to the forest. Black plum trees grow in the riparian habitat around the lake. At the waterhole at Panchadhara, huge arjun trees are seen.

Patches of grasses are found throughout the reserve. Bamboo thickets grow throughout the reserve. The climber Kach Kujali (velvet bean) found here is a medicinal plant used to treat Parkinson's disease. The leaves of bheria are used as an insect repellant and bija is a medicinal gum. Beheda is also an important medicine found here.

Fauna

Aside from around 45 Bengal 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, spotted deer, barking deer, cheetal ,chausingha and neelgai.

Tadoba lake sustains the Marsh Crocodile, which were once common all over Maharashtra. The lake is an ornithologist's paradise with a wide diversity of water birds, and raptors.

Threats

There are 41,644 people living in and around the reserve in 59 villages but no villages in the core zone. There there are 41,820 cattle kept in the reserve but none in the core zone. Cattle grazing is not allowed in the core zone. Regulated grazing is allowed to cattle of the inhabitants of villages in the buffer zone. However, cattle of peripheral villages do sneak in to the reserve and cause additional damage to the habitat.

Forest fires are a constant problem in the dry season, consistently burning between 2% - 16% of the park each year.

Poaching of prey animals such as Sambar deer, Spotted Deer, Hare, Nilgai and Wild Boar is a continuous problem, not fully controlled.

Human-wildlife conflict is common, with killing of domestic livestock by tigers and leopards is a frequent phenomenon in the areas of villages. This has an adverse impact on the economic condition of the local people and results into antagonism towards the management. In many years there have been up 3 people and 30 - 50 cattle killed by tigers and leopards.

Visitor information

The main attraction of the Tadoba National Park is its jungle safari trips. 6-seater, 4-wheel drive, open top Gypsy vehicles with trained local guides are available to take visitors around the park to see wildlife. Regular bus service is available for the 30 km (19 mi) between Chimur and Tadoba. Nearest rail service is 40 kilometres (25 mi) at Chandrapur on the Delhi - Chennai main line.

Tadoba Tiger Reserve is open from 6am to 11am and 3pm to 6pm except on Tuesdays. The Tadoba Tiger Reserve Forest Lodge is in the Chichghat valley adjacent to the core area of forested hills. The Lodge is open throughout the year. Accomodation is also available at 5 other rest houses. Contact: Conservator of Forest & Field Director, Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur, India, 00-91-7172-51414.

External links

• A Virtual Visit to Tadoba, 2:32, by Kiran G