World Tiger Day: On A Tiger Trail Through Maharashtra

Known as the home of the famous Bengal Tiger, India was one of the 13 tiger range countries which, in 2010, decided to observe World Tiger Day (also Global Tiger Day) on July 29 to preserve the endangered species. While Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been in the limelight for long as the tiger states of India, Maharashtra too is fast climbing the ladder and is one of the favourite haunts of tiger lovers. Although most tiger reserves remain shut during the monsoon, some have started offering safaris in the buffer zones (subject to weather conditions). While winter is the most pleasant time to visit the reserves, during summer (when temperatures soar), there are more chances of seeing the elusive tiger. But do remember, tigers are shy animals and getting a chance to see them depends a lot on your luck. So instead of running after the animal, do enjoy the forest and its many sights. Let the animals come to you.Note: Tourists are allowed to take vehicle safaris through tiger reserves with prior permission and payment of fees (entry, vehicles, guide, photography, etc.). Owing to the high demand, it is advisable to book in advance. Some of the forests allow entry only through online prior booking. So please check for the latest rules and regulations before planning.Bor Wildlife SanctuaryNotified as a tiger reserve in July 2014, it is an important corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and the Pench tiger reserves. The sanctuary straddles the Satpura and the Maikal ranges and is home to sloth bear, nilgai, leopards, wild boar, porcupine, and a large number of birds and reptiles, besides the tiger. The forest includes the drainage basin of the Bor Dam.The InformationGetting There: Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is about 80 km by road from Nagpur (nearest airport) and 35 km from Wardha (nearest railhead). The nearest village and bus stand is Hingni, 5 km away from the sanctuary. There are two entrance gates to the sanctuary - the more popular Bor Dharan gate and the relatively lesser known Adegaon gate.Safari: Usually there are two shifts, 6am to 10am and again from 2pm to 6pm. The forest remains closed to visitors on Mondays.Accommodation: There are private lodges near the entrance. Chandoli National ParkPart of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (notified in May 2007) in the Western Ghats, the park takes its name from the Chandoli Dam. Tucked between the Koyna and the Radhanagari sanctuaries, it sprawls across a ridge of the Sahdyadri hills and includes the Vasant Sagar Reservoir. The forest also contains several historical places, including temples and forts dating back to the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his son. Leopards, sloth bear, gaur, giant squirrels, many kinds of birds, share the forest with the tiger. The Information Getting There: Chandoli National Park and tiger reserve is nearly 75 km from Sangli, 80 km from Kolhapur (nearest convenient airport) and 210 km from Pune. All these places are connected to the rest of the country by road and rail. Safari: The park is open to visitors usually between 7am and 10am and again from 3pm to 6pm.Accommodation: There are private lodges near the national park.Melghat Tiger ReserveAn hour's drive from Chikaldhara, a popular hill station in Maharashtra, will take you to this less-visited tiger reserve in the Amravati district. Lying on the state's border with Madhya Pradesh, Melghat is literally where the hill ranges meet. Apart from tigers, Melghat is also home to leopards, gaurs, jungle cats, rusty spotted cat, wild dogs, jackals and so on. The forest is a birdwatchers' delight, especially those who are in search of raptors.The InformationGetting There: Nagpur (260 kms away) is the nearest airport while Amravati is the nearest railway station. Tourism around Melghat is based on four villages - Semadoh, Chikhaldara, Harisal and Shahnur. Safari: Most visitors prefer to visit through Semadoh and Chikaldhara. The safari timings are usually 6am to 11am and again from 3pm to 7pm. Check the Melaghat Tiger Reserve website for the possibility of a full day safari or night safari.Accommodation: Apart from rest houses run by the state forest department, you will find private lodges in Chikaldhara.Nagzira Wildlife SanctuaryThe diversity of vegetation --- teak and other trees, grass, bamboo and so on --- add a dramatic quotient to the forest safaris in Nagzira. Other than tigers, leopards, sloth bear, wild dog, civets, gaur, sambar, spotted deer are also found here. During winter, the Nawegaon Lake is known to host migratory birds. The InformationGetting There: The Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve is around 120 km from Nagpur, the nearest airport. The nearest railway station is Gondia, 60 km away. The entry gates are at Pitezari and Chorakhamara.Safari: The timings of the safari are usually 5am to 9:30am and again from 3:30pm to 7pm.Accommodation: You can stay in several forest rest houses in and around the reserve as well as eco-development committee-facilitated tents. There are private lodges and resorts near both entry gates.Pench National ParkAlso straddling the Satpura-Maikal landscape, this famous tiger reserve and national park is shared by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The park has a large number of faunal species -- 33 kinds of mammals, 164 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and so on. The reserve in Maharashtra takes its name from the Pench River flowing through it and roughly separates it from its counterpart in Madhya Pradesh. The InformationGetting There: A two-hour drive from Nagpur (nearest airport), which is 79 km away, will take you right to the door of the tiger reserve. The nearest railway station is Gondia. Tourists may enter the reserve through Sillari, Chorbahuli, Khuraspar from NH 44, and Kolitmara, Khubala (Saleghat) and Surewani (Nagalwadi) from Parseoni and Saoner gates.Safari: The safari timings vary with the season. Although the core area remains closed during the monsoon, vehicle safari is allowed in the buffer area (subject to weather conditions).Accommodation: Cottages and group accommodation facilities are available on prior booking.Tadoba-Andhari Tiger ReserveThe star of Maharashtra's tiger reserves, Tadoba-Andhara Tiger Reserve is a dense forest with rich flora and fauna. You have to book accommodation and safaris well in advance. There is a public road that runs through the forest and seeing a tiger from a public transport bus is not unusual. The park consists of thick teak forests and the huge Tadoba Lake. During peak summer, hardly any tourist returns without having seen a tiger in and around the lake. There are also crocodiles in the lake. Other animals that are likely to be seen are leopards, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deer, blue bulls, gaur, and wild dog. The park is also home to a large number of birds, almost 200 species.The InformationGetting There: The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is about 140 km from Nagpur (nearest airport) and 45 km from Chandrapur, ((nearest railway station. Safari: There are four key zones - Moharli, Navegaon, Kolara, and Pangadi & Zari, wth their own demarcated core and buffer zones. Safari timings vary according to season. Safari rates also vary according to days of the week and season. Check for the possiblity of a full day safari. Core areas remain closed on Tuesdays and buffer areas on Wednesday. For more details, check their website.Accommodation: There are many lodges and luxury resorts near the entry gates. MTDC runs a tourist lodge in Moharli.Umred-Karhandla Wildlife SanctuaryIts proximity to Nagpur makes Umred-Karhandla (also called Umred Pauni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary) one of the easiest tiger sanctuaries to drive to. It requires a little over an hour's drive from Nagpur (nearest airport, 58 km away). The sanctuary shot to fame when Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve's famous tiger Jai surfaced here all of a sudden, apparently having travelled past public roads and villages. During weekends, it is not unusual to see long queues of visitors at the Karhandla entry gate. The forest is home to tigers, sloth bear, leopard, wild dog, ratel, Indian fox, wolf, jackal, jungle cat, gaur, blue bull, sambar, barking deer, wild boars, spotted deer and so on.The InformationGetting There: The nearest airport and railway station is Nagpur, about 58km away. There are four gates to the sanctuary - Karandla, Pauni, Pullar and Gothangao. Safari: Timings vary according to season. Pauni gate is closed on Tuesday and the others on Monday.Accommodation: Limited but the number of facilities are on the rise. Usually tourists stay at lodges near the Karhandla gate.

World Tiger Day: On A Tiger Trail Through Maharashtra

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