Bookings for the jungle safari in the world famous Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district are almost full in April and May months, except for a few available in core and buffer areas during week days. The chart shows full bookings on week ends and holidays during the period.
Inland and foreign tourists are waiting in the queue during summer to enjoy tiger-centric jungle safari. The frequency of tiger sightings has increased in both core and buffer zones of the reserve with increasing in the temperature day by day.
Many tourists watch tigresses along with their cubs as well tigers at the water bodies and while crossing the internal roads. Pandharpaoni, Teliya lakes, Andhari and other rivers, ponds, waterholes installed with solar power pumps or nullahs are the hot spots for sightings of the tigers to the tourists. At the time, the tourists also see leopards, sloth-bears,wild dogs, bisons, spotted deer, sambar, blue bulls, wildboars and other wild animals plus peacocks, eagles and birds.
However, TATR is famous for sighting of tigers. According to estimate, there are around 100 tigers and tigresses, excluding cubs, in the park.
The tigers and tigresses that are frequently sighted now-a-days in the core area are: Sonam with four cubs, Lara with four cubs, Chhoti Tara with sub-adult cubs, the famous Maya, Rudra, Mogli and others that are being seen in Moharli and Tadoba ranges. In the buffer zone, there are good numbers of big cats such as Junabai plus three cubs, Matka, Chhoti Rani, Tara, Jharni with cubs, Babli, Chhota Matka, Bhanushindi female, Chhoti Madhu with cubs, Bajrang that are being sighted in Kolara, Alizanza, Madnapur and other areas.
When contacted, G Guruprasad, Deputy Director, TATR, Core, Chandrapur, said on Tuesday that tourism activities picked up now and the trend would continue till summer months. The increase in the activities also provided employment opportunities to the local communities such as guides, Gypsy drivers, youths selling materials as well business to resort owners. The tourism was on low key during the past two years owing to coronavirus pandemic, he added.
Nikhil Abhyankar, a tour operator, informed that 125 Gypsy vehicles move in core area during morning and evening hours a day while around 150 vehicles move in the buffer areas daily. The tourists will have to make reservation on www.mytadoba.org. The safari begins from 6 am to 10 am and from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Only six persons are allowed in a Gypsy for jungle safari.
