Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra)
India
Bird Photographer at heart is what I knew I was... Two months back in a casual discussion, my fellow birder friend suggested, we visit a national park for our May – June holiday session, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), is what we decided on. TATR is located in the Indian State of Maharashtra.
Personally had never been into the wild earlier and the place had been
in discussions as a number of tiger cubs had been born there in the past 12
months. The best part was that we were to cover the place over a weekend! While
we knew that temperatures in this part of the country could touch 48 degrees
Celsius in May – June. Deciding to look no further, the trip was planned and
put to action...
Land of The Tiger |
A Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, it is largely a flatland with 40 per cent of its area covered with bamboo trees, which gives it a unique appearance. Compared to other popular tiger reserves in India, TATR is relatively under-explored and under-photographed. The place has only of late been attracting tourists and is slowly coming up on the Indian wildlife circuit...
We board
the train from CST Mumbai to Chandrapur station, where we reached after an
overnight journey. We reached the MTDC Moharli Tourist Complex at around lunch.
Our guide Mr. Sanjay was there, who suggested that we be ready by 2 PM
Tadoba, a birder's paradise! ... Was
in our mind, for the
first day the guide said we need to take the evening safari inside the Tadoba
range of the forest to see the Tiger... that is time we realised, coming here
the prime motive would be tigers...
Chital (Spotted Deer) |
Sambar |
Owing to the bamboo thickets,
animal sightings were fewer. Every now and then I would feel the urge to climb down
from the vehicle, which was not allowed as per the rules of the park.
Telia Tigress - Lila |
As we were
passing the scenic area, where we had stopped to see some birds and our fellow
team had moved ahead on the track. To our surprise, we found her (Lila) sitting
majestically near the water hole. It was 6.30 in the morning and our day was
already made. We moved deeper into the park, sighting birds, Deer’s, Wild
Boars, Bison’s and Langoors!!
We returned to the park, after a filling lunch, which we had ordered in the morning itself, in the MTDC resort.
Oriental Honey-buzzard ( Pernis ptilorhyncus) |
As per the park rules, it’s a rule to wait till the animal/bird has moved from the track!!
After spending some time here we drove straight to region.
The forest guide Sanjay Mondhe told us that the tiger would surely appear here as apart from Telia Lake this was the only other source of water for him and of late he had been sighting them quiet regularly here.
Tiger Cub - Kolsa |
Their golden coat, glistening through the bamboo thickets was the best I have ever seen. Though, our view was obstructed by trees, shrubs and the bamboo thickets could see their movements very clearly.
Tiger Cub - Kolsa |
Tiger Cub - Kolsa |
Tiger Cubs - Kolsa |
Gaur (Indian bison) |
Summer Habitat |
The place is a veritable hotspot for birds!
Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura) |
All in all I would say Tadoba - Andhari Tiger Reserve is a good place for people who have loads of patience and want to enjoy the jungle in its entirety.
Telia Cubs |
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) |
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) |
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) |