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About Tadoba National
Park
Mor e
than two thousand years ago, the Asiatic lion, Panthera leo
persica, ranged all across the Indian subcontinent right up to
Greece. The Lord of Beasts was celebrated as the symbol of power and
might, feted in verse and art, feared and admired.
Two millennia down the line, the Asiatic lion has fallen prey, despite
its strength, to urbanisation, poaching, and all the ills human
populations cause as they expand. India’s national emblem- the
four-lion Ashokan capital- is one of the places lions can be readily
seen. The other, of course, is the famous Gir Forest in Gujarat, the
last stronghold of this majestic creature.
Nearly exterminated by 1910- a result of drought, irate villagers and
sheer indifference- the Gir lions were brought under protection by the
Nawab of Junagadh, who banned all hunting in the area. After
independence, in 1965, the Indian government declared the area a
national park. The lion population- which had sunk to an alarming two
dozen in the early 20th century- has slowly climbed over the years
since, and now numbers about 300. The Gir National Park and Lion
Sanctuary is collectively known as the Gir Protected Area. Gir
stretches over 1,412 sq km of scrub and grassland, dry deciduous
forest and some marshland. Besides lions, Gir harbours antelope, deer,
leopards, hyenas, crocodiles and jackals, along with a spectacular
array of birds.
A n
important part of the Gir Protected Area is the 4 sq km spread known
as the Gir Interpretation Zone, about 12 km from Sasan Gir Village,
the headquarters of the park. The Zone has a cross-section of wildlife
within the park, and a visit here almost guarantees a lion sighting,
which is otherwise a hit-or-miss affair in other parts of Gir.
Tadoba National Park is the oldest national park of
the State of Maharahtra and since 1993, a Project Tiger
Reserve.
It derives its name from the local God, "Taru". The legend goes that
the village chief "Taru" was killed in an epic fight with the tiger.
He is worshipped by all the local villagers as the deity of "Tadoba".
Tadoba has been referred to as the 'Jewel of Vidarbha'.
It has an area of 625 sq.km.
This splendid museum of flora and fauna holds more than thousand
species of birds, animals, insects and other life forms. Alongwith the
main attraction the Tiger, large herds of Chitals, Sambars, Barking
Deers, Chausingas, Neel Gais, Sloth Bears, Indian Bisons, Wild Dogs,
Wild Boars and Leopards are other inhabitants of this beautiful
wildlife sanctuary.
Tadoba, a heaven for wildlife enthusiasts is a rich, dry deciduous
forest, a great place to walk and enjoy nature.
The mesmerising trails of Tadoba could be a treasured
experience of a lifetime |
