Tadoba National Park History
A popular legend speaks of a brave man named Taru, who belonged to the Gond tribe and lived in a respected village. One day, he faced a huge tiger near a lake close to his home. A fierce fight followed between the man and the animal. Some stories say Taru killed the tiger, while others believe the tiger overpowered him despite his courage. Whatever the true ending, Taru became a heroic figure in local belief. A small shrine was later built in his honour near the lake and the nearby forest. Over time, the place came to be known as “Tadoba,” a name taken from Taru’s own name.
In 1931, a rule was introduced that banned the killing of tigers in the park and nearby protected areas. The region covered about 45 sq. km and was surrounded by Tadoba Lake. In 1935, this land was officially declared a wildlife sanctuary. Later, in 1942, parts of Tadoba were marked as game reserves. These included Karwa, Kalsa, Moharli, and Mul blocks, where hunting permits were issued only in Karwa and Kalsa.
For many centuries, the Gond kings ruled this region, as they did much of central India. During the 18th century, the Marathas took control, and about a hundred years later, the British administration followed. In 1879, the forest area was notified as a reserved forest. In 1955, Tadoba became one of the earliest national parks in India, the same year Kanha National Park was formed. However, even after legal protection, problems like overuse of forest resources, hunting, poaching, and farming inside forest land continued. Because of these activities, all four hunting blocks were permanently closed in the 1970s.
In 1986, around 506.32 sq. km of land was declared as the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Later, in 1993, Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary were merged to form the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The total protected area then increased to about 622.87 sq. km, creating a much larger and safer habitat for wildlife.
Tadoba - A Famous Wildlife Destination in India
Tadoba National Park is the pride of Maharashtra. Additionally, it is a significant protection and conservation ground for tigers and other wildlife species. Being a popular and significant wildlife sanctuary in India, Tadoba National Park is a dream destination for many wildlife enthusiasts, especially to spot the majestic Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. The highest rush remains in the core zones of the national park. With a wide variety of flora and fauna, the forest of Tadoba is cool and calm, i.e. enough for visitors to rejuvenate their mind and body. Please note that tiger sightings are never ensured by any travel operators or the driver and guide. Choosing the right season and safari slot enhances the chances of tiger and other wildlife sighting. However, due to the significant tiger population, the safari goers usually are not disappointed as the tiger sightings are usually frequent.