Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
Sterilisation of stray dogs undertaken in areas around Tadoba tiger reserve, recently.
- Location - Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.
- Area - ~1,727 km² (core + buffer zones).
- It is one of Maharashtra’s oldest and largest tiger reserves, known for its high density of wild tigers.
- Establishment & Composition- While the Tadoba National Park was established in 1955, it was later merged with the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary (created in 1986) to form the unified Tiger Reserve in 1995.
- Etymology
- Tadoba - Derived from the tribal deity "Taru" or "Tadoba," a village chief who, according to local Gond legend, was killed in a battle with a tiger.
- A shrine dedicated to him exists on the banks of Tadoba Lake.
- Andhari - Named after the Andhari River, which meanders through the forest.
- Flora - Dry deciduous forests dominated by teak, bamboo, and bamboo associates.
- Fauna -
- Big cats- Bengal tiger, leopard.
- Herbivores- Indian bison (gaur), chital, sambar, wild boar
- Birds- Malabar pied hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, etc.
- Reptiles- Indian cobra, monitor lizard
- Rivers & Water Bodies - Tadoba and Andhari rivers, several small streams aiding wildlife survival.
- Wildlife Corridors - The reserve maintains vital corridor linkages with other major habitats in Maharashtra, specifically the Nagzira-Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserves.
Reference
The week | Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)
