Just like any forest, the landscape of Tadoba is unique, and thus creates an experience of its own. It has meadows, thick bamboo forest, wooded areas of teak, ain arjun, bheda, jamun etc. Tadoba has grasslands & hills with deep gorges, lakes and perineal Rivers. Everything that a forest should encompass.
Eastern front of the landscape is flanked by the River Penganga . The western and South western front of the park is limited by the city of Chandrapur and thermal power Station. The northernmost part of park refered to as Navegaon zone is closest entry point from city of Nagpur. The northern limits of the park are defined by the flow of Uma river which is the tributary to Andhari River. Andhari River itself is a perennial river, giving life to inhabitants of tiger reserve. This river also forms the baseline for Andhari wildlife century which is part of Moharli landscape. The Southern part of the park is called Kolsa range. This is the densest bamboo forest you will see in Tadoba. It is so dense that the biggest browsers like Gaur and Sambar deer thrive here. The tigers of this areas are considered to be specialist of hunting Gaurs. Connected to the Kolsa range is Moharli range undoubtedly the most popular range of the tiger reserve. It is close proximity to Chandrapur city makes it the most popular gate for tourists. Lakes like Irai & Teliya lie in Moharli range and came to limelight when documentary on Teliya sisters was broadcasted by Animal Planet a decade ago.
Very interesting topography can be experienced in Tadoba Range. Chimur hills run from North to south on western front. These hills have a steep slope whereas the eastern side has a gentle slope. The top of hills is highest point of Tadoba now it is called as Navegaon meadow. (The other highest point been in Kolsa range) The eastern slope creates some of the finest meadows of Tadoba known as Pander Pauni. The famous Tadoba lake is part of Tadoba range. The showstopper Maya and Matkasur were ruling this area for long time in recent past. The Navegaon Meadows in the largest meadow and known as tiger hunting grounds where the game of life and death can be seen played out regularly. The western slope of this hills has deep gorges & narrow cliffs making it impossible to penetrate for any human being. However, for animals, it is heaven, the deep gorges retain water even in the hottest months of the year. In some parts. It is so dense that even sunlight does not reach the ground. It is in this area that you will find some ancients ruins, caves and temples built for the purpose of meditation and spiritual growth by our ancestors.
Tadoba landscape also encompasses few territorial forest & FDCM areas. To name a few, Bramhmapuri, Central Chanda, Kanhargaon, Ghodazari etc. These ares are essential to reduce man-animal conflict, provide a corridor for wildlife and act as safe heaven. The forest department has put best foot forwarded which has resulted in these forested areas becoming a source population for tigers. This wasn’t even a plausible theory few years ago. Excellent wildlife & forest management, meadow development, timely and highest compensation to locals affected by wildlife have resulted in acceptance of wildlife by locals in general. The forest cover is increasing along with developments of tourism & road infrastructure. This has led to not just increase in forest cover but also source of livelyhood to locals and better infrastructure to lead a better life.
Forests of Tadoba is now a benchmark in modern day management of wildlife and tiger landscapes. Here the wild spirits roam freely. Lot of work still needs to be done under “20 Year Vision Plan” since the landscape of Tadoba is filled to its brim with tigers it can hold. Let us hope the wild spirits continue to thrive in Tadoba landscape for ages to come.