Tadoba National Park is situated in the district of Chandrapur in the
north-eastern part of Maharashtra. Often referred to as 'The Jewel of
Vidharba', it is the oldest national park in Maharashtra.
The Park gets its name from the local tribal God, 'Taru'.
According to the legend Taru was a village chief who was killed in an
epic fight with a tiger, and the local villagers started worshiping him
as the deity of 'Tadoba'.
The park was established in 1935 and declared as a National Park in 1955
and since 1995, the area comprising the Tadoba National Park and Andhari
Wildlife Santuary together was designated as Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
It is the second Tiger Reserve in the State. The area of the Reserve is
625.40 sq. km. This includes Tadoba National Park, created in 1955 with
an area of 116.55 sq. km and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1986
with an area of 508.85 sq. km.
The Reserve is constituted with 577.96 sq. km. Reserve Forest, 32.51 sq.
km. Protected Forest and 14.93 sq. km. other areas. The national park
inside the reserved forest, boasts of more than thousand species
of birds, animals, insects and other life forms.
The park is covered with the rich, dry, deciduous forests,
populated with Sal, Ain, Tendu, Mahua, Haldu, Semal, Mango and Bamboo,
particularly around the artificial Tadoba Lake. Andhari river flows
through the forest.
The park consists around 50 Bengal Tigers. Along with this other frequently
spotted wildlife are Sambar, Gaur, Chinkara, Leopard cat, Pangolin, Panther,
Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Chausinga, Nilgai, Barking deer, Indian bison,
Wild dog, Hyena, Jackals etc. Late nights are best to see Tigers,
Leopards, Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar and Chital.
Tadoba National Park also an ornithologist's paradise
with a varied diversity of Migratory birds and Water Birds. Python, Bengal
monitor lizard and crocodiles are other inhabitants of this park.
The park has facilities for tourists to stay overnight. The main attraction
in the park is the Jungle Safari which attracts large number of tourists.
A permit is required for the safari. A 12-seater minibus is available
at Tadoba for the safari. A motorable road goes round
the Tadoba lake.
The park is open through out the year and closed every Tuesday.
Timings : 6.00 am to 11.00 am and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs.10/-
Note: Two and Three Wheelers are not permitted in the park.
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Wildlife 
