Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in India. It is Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park. Created in 1995, the Reserve includes the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The Reserve consists of 577.96 square kilometers (223.15 sq. mi) of reserved forest and 32.51 square kilometers (12.55 sq. mi) of protected forest.

Etymology

"Tadoba" is taken from the name of the God "Tadoba" or "Taru", worshipped by the tribes who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari region, while "Andhari" refers to the Andhari River that meanders through the forest

Geography

Tadoba Andhari Reserve is the largest national park in Maharashtra. The total area of the reserve is 625.4 square kilometers (241.5 sq. mi). This includes Tadoba National Park, with an area of 116.55 square kilometers (45.00 sq. mi) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 508.85 square kilometers (196.47 sq. mi). The reserve also includes 32.51 square kilometers (12.55 sq. mi) of protected forest and 14.93 square kilometers (5.76 sq. mi) of uncategorized land.

To the southwest is the 120 hectares (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 a good habitat for Muggar crocodiles to thrive. Other wetland areas within the reserve include Kolsa Lake and the Andhari River.

Tadoba reserve covers the Chimur Hills, and the Andhari sanctuary covers the Moharli and Kolsa ranges. It is bounded on the northern and western sides 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 the Tadoba and Andhari ranges. The south part of the park is less hilly than the remainder.

Climate

Winters stretch from November to February; during this season, the daytime temperature is in the 25°-30°C range and the park is lush green. Summers are extremely hot in Tadoba as the temperature can go up to 47°C; even so, it is the ideal time to sight mammals near water lakes as the vegetation is also rare, increasing visibility. The monsoon season begins in June; the area receives heavy rainfall during this season (approx.1275 mm) and humidity hovers around 66%.

Flora

Tadoba reserve is a predominantly southern tropical dry deciduous forest with dense woodlands comprising about eighty-seven percent of the protected area. Teak is the predominant tree species. Other deciduous trees found in this area including (crocodile bark), bija, dhauda, hald, salai, semal and tendu. Beheda, hirda, karaya gum, mahua madhuca (crepe myrtle), palas (flame-of-the-forest, Butea monosperma) and Lannea coromandelica (wodier tree). Axlewood (Anogeissus latifolia, a fire-resistant species), black plum and arjun are some of the other tropical trees that grow in this reserve.

Patches of grasses are found throughout the reserve. Bamboo thickets grow throughout the reserve in abundance. 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 repellent and bija is a medicinal gum. Beheda is also an important medicine found here.

Fauna

As of August 2016, there are 88 tigers in the reserve, and 58 in the forests immediately outside the reserve.

Aside from the keystone species, the 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, barking deer, chital, chausingha and honey badger. Tadoba Lake sustains the marsh crocodile, which was once common all over Maharashtra.

Reptiles here include the endangered Indian python and the common Indian monitor. Terrapins, Indian star tortoise, Indian cobra, and Russel's viper also live in Tadoba.

The lake contains a wide variety of water birds and raptors. 195 species of birds have been recorded, including three endangered species. The grey-headed fish eagle, the crested serpent eagle, and the changeable hawk-eagle are some of the raptors seen in the park.

Other bird species found in the reserve include the orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, crested tree swift, stone curlew, crested honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, bronze-winged jacana, lesser golden-backed woodpecker, various warblers, black-naped blue flycatcher and the Indian peafowl.

74 species of butterflies have been recorded including pansies, monarchs, Mormons, and swordtails.

Insect species include the endangered danaid egg-fly and great egg fly. Dragonflies, stick insects, jewel beetles, and the praying mantis are other insects located in the reserve.

The signature spider, giant wood spider, and redwood spiders are often seen during the monsoon and soon after. Some hunting spiders like the wolf spiders, crab spiders, and lynx spiders are also common.

A black panther was spotted in May 2018. As per the officials, it is a rare sight since black panthers normally live in evergreen forests and not in dry deciduous forests like Tadoba Tiger Reserve.