Tadoba: More then a Tiger Reserve



Indian Gaur

By Safique 



The name Tadoba (TATR- Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve) may sound a bit unfamiliar for many as it didn’t make much news for tourist until recently. This pristine forest in Chandrapur district of Maharastra flourished relatively in peace with  less human abuse and evils then some other forests in India. As a result along with varieties of other animals, birds, Tadoba become a safe heaven for the Big-Cats, the Tiger. With the gradual increase in Tiger Population Park was upgraded as Tiger Reserve in 1995. Per recent census March 2011 Tiger population has further increased from 42 to 69, in an area spread across 625 Sq. km. Needless to say what an accomplishment by park authorities in the midst of tiger crisis everywhere in the world. It was reported that as many as 28 tiger cubs were born in 2010.

   

Rudy Shelduck, Migratory, Nesting at Ladakh



In last couple of years media was active in reporting frequent tiger sighting stories by tourist, hence the place now become a hot-spot for tourist. May be good news for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly Tiger chasers, but definitely irritating for all the wild inhabitants. I got to know from Dieter Gutmann a German turist and Tiger conservationist who was staying next to our room, that recently in Bandhavgarh a safari vehicle hit a Tiger as they were racing to be the first to enter core zone. In turn the Tiger attacked two tourists in that vehicle. In May 2010 a Tigress with three cubs of 5 months old killed by safari vehicle in Bandvhgarh. Here in Tadoba as well, every water whole/stream, key spots are being scrutinized twice a day by thirsty eyes in safari vehicles to have a glimpse of the elusive Tiger.

  

Injured Tigress



We were greatly benefited by the presence of Dieter who gave a presentation to Ruby and I about the world of Tigers and how things changed for Tigers - and for us for that matter just in 110 years (In 1900 there was 100,000 in the world and now has hardly 4000. When it comes to India in the same period number dived 40,000 to now 1700, a massive failure worldwide caused directly or indirectly by humans). The most impending issue worldwide is of the proof that Big-Cats are shunting in buffer zone more often the earlier from the core zone (protected area) of national parks due to deforestation or lack of preys. Problem multiplies as buffer zones are aggressively encroached and this has significantly increased man-animal conflicts. I saw a direct evidence of this in Tadoba as forest authorities kept a caged Tigress, just three years old, near to MTDC resort. She had injured four persons, in retaliation villagers stuck with a sword and cut her nose. She is now undergoing treatment. In the buffer zone villagers enters forests to collect Mahua fruit (to make local liquor) and cuts grass for livestock. In sitting position Tiger mistakes them as their prey. These Mahua’s are also favorite food for wild bears found in Tadoba, and there were many conflicts with bears as well.



Grey Headed Fish Eagle



It was a three days tour to Tadoba, with total three safaris in the morning and evening. Ironically I didn’t sight a Tiger! Not to mean sighting is difficult, infact the probability is high, it was just not my time. But what I saw and sharing herewith may change the perception that visiting Tiger sanctuaries are not merely a success of sighting a Tiger but of really enjoying the rich bio-diversity and other varieties of wild species rather then passing common fuzz if Tiger dont appear. Many also don’t understand, but the wildlife and the forest echos "To know me give your senses a chance". Tadoba is one such Tiger Reserve (primarily), which I felt should equally be visited for its pristine and unique eco-system that has full of herbivores, carnivores and bird life. It was very different among other forests I visited; in the sense it is a dry deciduous jungle with small bamboo shurbs. From the first look itself place was looking like extremely congenial habitat for Tigers, especially to get to their preys hiding through these bamboo shurbs.

  

Spotted deer

 There are three ranges, Tadoba, Mohrali and Kolsa. Mohrali range is mostly visited by tourists, where MTDC has a resort (expect not more then basic/average facility and food with a lousy manager – if your focus is on wildlife more then resort you’ll be OK), there are two more resorts Saras & Tiger Trails (new) – looks better, off-course at double the price of MTDC. Kolsa is inside the jungle, mainly for birds and has a Forest Rest House (need advance booking from forest authorities). Mind you, park remains closed on every Tuesdays, but good news is park is open for the entire year, so no monsoon break. In Mohrali, some of the key spots are Telia & Erai dam, Jamunzora and the place we got in the last day with the highest animal density was called sector 97 in code language by the Guide. It was bit far from the gate, but worth visiting. I was not taken to this place until I insisted as someone spotted Tiger there in the morning.

Temperature may touch 40-42 degree celsius in the peak summer and an open vehicle (best for safari – though other vehicles are also permitted in Tadoba (unique) may drain lots of fluid out of you so need at least two litters of water per head. Another unique aspect, the safari duration is lengthiest in India, four hours each in the morning and evening. This provides ample time to even comfortably follow animal’s calls to trace Tiger or engage on photography with ease.
 

Indian Roller

 



Ruddy Shelduck


Main Mammals:

Tiger (69), leopards (28), wild dogs (1758), wild boars (195), sloth bears (165), bisons/gaur (1052), deer (2039), wild Cat, Ratel, Indian mouse deer, Sambar, Four horned antelope, Flying Squirrel, Hare etc.

Birds:

Different verities of goose, Egret, Heron, Rudy Shelduck (migratory), IBIS, Indian Roller, Verities of Drongo’s, Eagles, Bee Catchers, Junglefoul, Peefoul, Frencolin, Barbet, Sandgrouse and many more

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P.S: All comments, feedback, critical view, openinon welcome.