General Information About Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Situated in the Central Provinces that included Central India during British Raj Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is the largest national park in Maharashtra. It is undeniably one of the most exciting national parks in India dedicated to conservation and preservation of Tigers. Predominantly known as the most popular grounds for hunting for the Gond rulers of the area; hunting was banned in the year 1935. Thereafter, almost two decades later in the year 1955, a part of it, with an area of 116.54 square kms was declared as a National Park. Still later, in the year 1986, Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was made on the adjacent jungle. In 1995 though, the amalgamation of both the park and the sanctuary was carried out to form the present Tiger Reserve.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) gets its name from ‘Tadoba’ or ‘Taru’ who is the god worshipped by the tribal people living in the deep woods of Tadoba and Andhari region and Andhari is the name of the river that snakes through the forest. It is believed by the tribal folk of the region that the Gond tribal chief was killed by a Tiger in this area in a mythological encounter leading to the formation of a shrine under a huge tree at the lake Tadoba, dedicated to God Taru. The adivasis hold a fair here in the Hindu month of Pusa.

Dominated by huge Bamboo shoots and Teak forest, the area is quite rugged with myriad cliffs, marshes, boulders scattered all over the streambeds, caves and perennial lakes dotting the place, giving it a unique semblance for an abundant biodiversity. With the total area of 1727.6 square kms, TATR has a core area of 625.82 square kms and the balance area of 1101.78 square kms comprises of the buffer zones. The core area employs intense Tiger conservation measures, behaving as the critical habitat for the Tigers with human intervention kept to a bare minimum. Apart from the Tigers though, which can be seen in good number at its adjunct, there are many other endangered animals as well, with the likes of Leopard, Leopard cat, Ratel (Honey Badger), Sloth bear and Indian Gaur.
While Tadoba lies surrounded by the Chimur hills, Andhari consists of Kolsa and Mohurli ranges. The undulating topography, with dense forest covered hills, deep valleys and grassy meadows of the park are alive with the rivers and lakes viz. Andhari river, Erai river, Tadoba lake, Kolsa lake and Junoria lake. The rivers, lake and rivulets are the lifeline of the park, allowing a great variety of plants and animals to thrive in the region.

Climate at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

The climate of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is quite dry and humid. It becomes excessively hot and dry in the summers and very humid in the monsoon season. The winters are very cold but the temperature doesn’t drop as low as the Northern part of India. The winters begin from October and last until February when the climate remains cold. However the temperature varies over the months. While October faces a temperature of around 18°C, November and December experiences a lower temperature from 18°C to 9°C; again rising to about 25°C in the coming months of January and February. The summers begin from March and remain till June. The climate is hot and dry. While the heat is bearable with temperature ranging over 15°C to 30°C in March-April, it gets unbearable in May-June with the temperature soaring as high as 45°C.

Monsoons bring a breath of relief and satiates the earth. The rainfall usually heavy with up to 50 inches rejuvenates the whole area and renders the landscape lush green. The monsoon season arrives in the mid of June and remains until September.

Best time to visit Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Weather-wise, the best time to visit the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is in the winter season, that is from the mid of October to February. March and April also make for good time to visit the park since the climate is still tolerable during that time and the morning safaris are quite enjoyable then. May and June very hot but are considered as the best time for Tiger sightings as most of the streams and water holes in the jungles get dried and the chances of spotting the majestic beautiful big cat near a few bigger perennial water bodies become higher.