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The Tadoba tiger reserve came into existence in 1995 after the successful merger of the Tadoba national park (created in 1955) and Andhari wildlife sanctuary (created in 1986). Talking about etymology, “Tadoba” comes from the name of the god “Taru”, worshipped by the tribals while “Andhari” comes from the Andhari river that meanders through the forests.
Legend holds it that village chief Taru was killed in a mythological encounter with a tiger. A shrine was erected by the tribal people in his memory under a large tree on the bank of Tadoba lake and since then, a fair is held annually in the Pausha month to remember him.
The park is closed in rainy season usually from June to October.
Summers, mainly March to May is an excellent time to spot tigers playing with their cubs by the lakeside. This particular setting provides amazing opportunities for spectacular wildlife photography. Moreover, this is the mating time of birds and therefore makes it possible to even spot some rare birds.
During winters, especially from November to February is just perfect to spot the migrating visitors and also small and large mammals
Almost 200 bird species can be found in these forests. The 3 endangered bird species i.e. the crested serpent eagle, the grey-headed fish eagle, and the changeable hawk-eagle are also found here. What more could you want?
Indian Pitta, Orange-headed Thrush, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Spotted Owlet, Black Shouldered Kite, Brahminy Starling, Spotted Dove, Collared Scops-Owl, Common Kingfisher, Pied Myna, Indian Roller, Oriental Magpie Robin, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Common Myna, Southern Coucal, Rock Pigeon, Rufous Treepie, Jungle Owlet, Asian Pied Starling, Large-billed Crow, House Crow, Common Stonechat, Crested Treeswift, Crested Honey Buzzard, Paradise Flycatcher, Stone Curlew, Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker, White-breasted Water Hen, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, River Tern, Painted Sand Grouse, Jungle Bush Quail, Indian Peafowl, Open Bill Stork, Black Ibis, Bar Headed Goose, Black Strok, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, House Sparrow, Indian Robbin, Comb Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Large Egret, White-eyed Buzzard, Pariah Kite, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Bronze-winged Jacana, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Warblers, Black-naped Blue Flycatcher, Shikra, Lesser Adjutant Strok, Forest Wagtail, Ruby Throat, Blue Throat, Black Redstart, Grey Tit, Median Egret, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Common Chiffchaff etc.
Tadoba National Park is mainly a dry tropical deciduous forest. 80% of the protected area is mainly dense woodland dominated by Teak species. Almost 40% area is covered by Bamboo trees which gives Tadoba an eccentric identity. A boon for the plants and animals flourishing in Tadoba, this reserve has managed to escape the tourists’ radar for long and has thus been successful in maintaining its pristine environment.
Majorly these plant species are found here: Dhauda, Ain, Bija, Semal, Salai, Tendu, Haldu, Beheda, Mahua madhuca, wodier tree, Hirda, etc. In the deeper parts of the forest, you can find Axlewood and palas also known as flame-of-the-forest. Black plum trees and Arjun trees usually grow near the lake. One more important species is the climber kach kujali ( velvet bean ) which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Oh, and did I mention the “ghost trees” of Tadoba? These are huge trees with completely white bark which can lure any photographer to them, you know.
As rich as Tadoba is in its flora, so it is in its fauna too. The data from 2016 states the presence of approximately 90 tigers in the reserve i.e. within 625 square kilometers. It’s often called “The land of the Tigers” and rightly so. Other mammals are also found including sloth bear, Indian bison, leopard, nilgai, dhole, chital, jungle cats, barking deer, sambar, striped hyena, small Indian civet, rusty spotted cat, wild pig, flying squirrel, four-horned antelope, honey badger and more.
The Tadoba lake is home to marsh crocodiles and other reptiles like Indian python, common Indian monitor, Indian star tortoise, terrapins, Indian cobra and Russel’s viper.
A wide variety of birds and almost 74 species of butterflies are also found here.
Don’t pack up your bags just yet. Tadoba Tiger reserve has more to offer. Go check out to these places before heading home, you won’t be disappointed.
One other thing you might enjoy is shopping Bamboo products from the markets of Palasgaon village. Here you can find items like vases, lampshades, bins, furniture, baskets and other kitchen items, all made from Bamboo! Isn’t that amazing? And the craftsmen are eager to share the knowledge of making these items!
By Air: The nearest airport is Nagpur airport. This is an international airport with connecting flights to all major cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
By Train: The nearest railway station is the Chandrapur Railway Station approximately 45 km from the park and connects trains to & from mostly all important cities of India.
By Road: Tadoba reserve is approximately 3 hrs away from Nagpur, 8 hrs away from Bhopal and 5 hrs away from Raipur. It is well connected to other major cities through national highways.
Madhya Pradesh, Pench Tiger Reserve, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Navegaon National Park, Karnataka, Kudremukh National Park, Kerala, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve
The Pench Tiger Reserve is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and almost 285 species of birds. Spread across the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, this is also known as “Mowgli’s Land”. Pench also protects 4 species of endangered vultures.
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