Tadoba National Park

Tadoba National Park History

There was a mythological tale, told in parts about a man who became the sanctity. Taru, a Gond tribal from a respected village confronted a prodigious tiger near a lake in his village. A Ferocious battle between the tiger and the man resulted in a disputed conclusionwhere some say that Taru defeated the tiger while others believe that despite his bravery, Taru was executed by the tiger. Regardless of whatever the tale is the man was considered a legend. A Shrine was also constructed in his memory along with the lake and the surrounding forested area which is known by the name ‘Tadoba’, from the man’s name ‘Taru’.
The Bulletin was then passed in the year 1931 stating that the shooting of tigers is prohibited in the national park and the surrounding protected area. With a total area of 45 km surrounded by Tadoba lake, the area has been declared a sanctuary in 1935. In the year 1942, shooting ranges in Tadoba were declared as the game reserves with Karwa, Kalsa, Moharli, and Mul blocks, and the permits being issued in Karwa and Kalsa blocks.
Gond Kings governed the territory for several centuries as they did ample for central India. It was established by the Marathas during the 18th century following the British period about a century later. The Area was declared a reserved forest in the year 1879 and later, in the year 1955, Tadoba became the earliest national park the same year as the Kanha National Park. Even after passing of the bill, overexploitation, hunting and poaching, and extensive cultivation continued. It was during the 1970s that the four hunting blocks were permanently closed due to continued illegal activities. In the year 1986, an area encompassing about 506.32 sq. km was declared as Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. And in the year 1993, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) with an area extending up to 622.87 sq. km was established thereby merging the national park and the sanctuary area.

In short, one can get an idea of the conservation chronology of TATR through the points listed below:

• 1873- British started planned fire protection in Tadoba
• 1879- Tadoba is declared as the Reserved Forest
• 1905- Tiger shooting was prohibited except for blocks with ‘special permits’
• 1907- First forest rest house was built by Britishers
• 1931- Restrictions were placed on the shooting of all the animals
• 1935- 45- A Total of 45 sq. km. of the area covered by the Tadoba lake
• 1942- Tadoba declared as the game reserves for shooting blocks
• 1955- Tadoba National Park116.55 sq. km area was notified
• 1968- Collection of all Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) prohibited
• 1973- 74- All four hunting blocks closed for hunting
• 1986- Tendu leaf collection was banned within the national park
• 1989- Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was transferred to the Tadoba National Park Division
• 1992- NTFP collection was wholly banned in Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary
• 1993- TadobaAndhari Tiger Reserve 622.87 sq. km area notified
• 1997- Management plan for Tadoba Andhari National Park was approved
• 1998- 2000-Tiger restrictions were placed on tourists and entry of the people and cattle into TATR
• 2008- Core area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve notified
• 2010- Buffer area of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve 1127.17 sq. km notified
• 2013- Unified control of the entire area was handed over to the field director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Tadoba is Famous Wildlife Destinations in India

Tadoba is called pride of Maharashtra. Bering the largest as well as oldest wildlife sanctuaries in India, Tadoba is noted for protecting and conserving number of endangered species of Tigers and wild animals. Tadoba is dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Blessed with wide variety of flora and fauna, the jungles of Tadoba is cool and calm i.e. enough for travellers to rejuvenate their mind and body. When you visit Tadoba, you are ensuring that you will be able to spot tigers and other wildlife species. The jungle of Tadoba offers a number of opportunities to see Tigers.

Tadoba National Park Safari Zones:-

Moharli Safari Zone: - Moharli is the best known tourism for tiger spotting, popular for giving shelter to the highest density of tiger in its territory. Open Jeep safari is the most feasible option to explore the rich diversity of flora and fauna of the TATR. Jeep safari rides passes through the densely forested area of the park where there is increased chances of spotting the rare wild species of tigers along with the other animals.

Kolara Safari Zone: - The Kolara zone is very much liked for its distinct topography and the greater possibility of spotting rarest of the wild animal species which are comparatively lower in this zone. The Possible entries in this zone are through Madnapur, Shirkheda, Alizanza and Bellara gates.

Khutwanda Safari Zone: - Among the top three core zones of the Tadoba National Park, Khutwanda Safari Zone is one of them, located very close to the Moharli Gate and easily accessible from Nagpur and Chandrapur. It is bordered with the beauty of flora and fauna and a wildlife resort around it.

Navegaon Safari Zone: - Being the best core gate in Tadoba National Park, it is just 140 km away from Nagpur. With the daily permit of six vehicles each morning and evening for tiger safari. It is the home to around 60% bird species which are found in whole Maharashtra.

Zari Safari Zone: - Offering the good and ultimate sight view of the national park, the zari safari zone has its own unique charm and various contributions like staycation nearby along with essential facilities and other such contributions. Also, booking safari from Zari gate will curl you through core and central areas of the tourism zones in Tadoba.

Pangadi Safari Zone: - Through this zone Kolsa range is accessible only from Pangadi gate with the permit of only two jeeps for the morning and afternoon safari.

How to Reach Tadoba National Park:-

Chandrapur is perhaps the best to approach Tadoba National Park. The City is well connected via, rail, road and air and the major cities of India like Nagpur, Amravati, Bhilai, Durg, Nanded and some other well known cities. Once you reach Chandrapur, it takes around an hour to reach Tadoba National Park. The National park is around 45 km away from Chandrapur Railway Station.

By Road: - The State transport buses regularly ply from Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Jalgaon to Chandrapur and Chimur districts situated about 45 and 32 km respectively. Local transports can be hired from Chandrapur and Chimur to reach the national park.

By Air: - The Airport nearest to Tadoba National Park is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur which is about 140 km away. From all the Metropolitan cities flights regularly fly to Nagpur and taxis can be hired to reach the national park.

By Train: - The Railway Station nearest to the Tadoba National Park is the Chandrapur Railway Station about 45 km away from the national park, well connected with the famous big cities in and around the state. Taxis and buses facility can easily be availed by the commuters.