Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

The park is situated in erstwhile Central Provinces which constituted Central India during the Raj. TATR stands for Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve since it was included in the Project Tiger Program in the year. TATR is created by amalgamating Tadoba National Park & Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tadoba lies in the confines of Chimur Hills and the latter comprises of Kolsa and Mohurli Ranges. The undulating topography comprises of Hills which are densely covered with mixed forests and belts of bamboo. The deep valleys, river beds, and small grassy meadows provide suitable habitat to many life forms.

The total area under the Project Tiger is 1727.6 sq.km with core area being 625. 82 sq.km and the rest 1101.78 sq.km constitute the buffer zone. The core area concept denotes critical tiger habitat which is subject to intense conservation measures with human intervention being minimal.

The lifeline of the park are the Andhari River, Erai Dam, Kolsa Lake, Junoria Lake and the Tadoba Lake. The river and water storage systems provide year long supply for fresh water to this amazing ecosystem. Besides small water bodies, rivulets and creeks exists in the confines of dense forests in plains and hills. Man made water holes and small dams add to a life sustaining environment. These factors explain the prolific bio diversity of the region.

Flora

The forest types are Southern Dry Deciduous, the floral elements constitute to form a mixed forest. Teak and bamboo dominate along with other associates like haldu, tendu, bija, kosum, char, dhawa, mahua, palas, harra, bahera, semal, salai, kurlu, ber and lyndia.

The hillsides are covered by dense forests besides the plains while grasslands are scarce. Most of the grassy patches are interspersed in the forested regions many of which succumb to the heat of dry summers.

Fauna

One of the finest tiger habitats Taboba is home to many other mammals, reptiles and insects. The complex web of life is interlinked inseparable with the floral elements. Bison, wolf, hyena, jackal, wild dogs and fox are secondary carnivores. Among the Central Indian deer species one can see the sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, chinkara, Nilgai and the four horned deer. Common elements are the wild boar, langur monkeys, rhesus macaque and the peacock. Spotted deer are also found in wild abundance and constitute the prey base of the tertiary and secondary consumers. Other charismatic animals are the leopard, rusty spotted cat, jungle, cat, leopard cat and the sloth bear.

Avi-Fauna

Tadoba is rich in bird life and is visited by many birders every year. Amongst the most notable species are the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Painted Francolin, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Peacock, Shama, Golden Oriole, Black Naped Blue Flycatcher, Plum Headed Parakeet, Red Spurfowl, Painted Spur fowl, Gray Jungle Fowl, Bonelli's Eagle, Crest Serpent Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Changeable Hawk Eagle, White Eyed Buzzard, Shikra, Brown Fish Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Collard Scops Owl, Warblers, Munias, Drongos, Pipits, Larks, Cuckoos and many more.

Reptiles

Cobra, Russell's viper, Krait are the venomous creatures. There many species if non venomous snakes like the bronze tree snake, rat snake, leaf nosed snake, nastrix, Indian Python and many more. The fresh water crocodile and monitor lizards are the star attractions of the National Park.

Insect Life

More the seventy species of butterflies have been recorded besides the moths, dragon flies etc. Many species of spiders are also found in this complex ecosystem.

Fact File

The Park is closed on all Tuesdays of the year. It is also closed during the monsoons from July to 15th if October. For excursions open jeep safaris are the only means, one needs to book the park entry in advance.

Reaching the Park

By road tourists can reach all the park gates from Nagpur City. The nearest gate is at Kolara which is 100 km from Nagpur. The farthest gate is at Moharli which is 150 km from Nagpur in Maharashtra.

Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is approx 250 km from Tadoba. The route is via Nagpur and through Chandrapur in Maharashtra.