Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DTE
Context: The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved coal mining in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district within a vital tiger corridor connecting three key reserves, sparking ecological concerns.
• This area lies between Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Kanhargaon, and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuaries—crucial for tiger movement and gene flow.
About Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve:
• What It Is? TATR is one of India’s oldest and most prominent Project Tiger reserves, comprising Tadoba National Park (1955) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary (1986), later merged in 1995.
• TATR is one of India’s oldest and most prominent Project Tiger reserves, comprising Tadoba National Park (1955) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary (1986), later merged in 1995.
• Location: Situated in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra, it covers 87 sq km including reserved and protected forests. It falls under the Central Indian Tiger Landscape.
• It falls under the Central Indian Tiger Landscape.
• Historical Roots: Named after the tribal deity Taru, whose shrine stands by the Tadoba Lake. The region was once a hunting ground for Gond and Maratha rulers before protection laws came into force.
• Named after the tribal deity Taru, whose shrine stands by the Tadoba Lake.
• The region was once a hunting ground for Gond and Maratha rulers before protection laws came into force.
• Ecological Features: Home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, and diverse birdlife. Key rivers like Andhari, Era, and Tadoba Lake support the lush tropical deciduous forest.
• Home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, and diverse birdlife.
• Key rivers like Andhari, Era, and Tadoba Lake support the lush tropical deciduous forest.
• Neighbouring Corridors: Linked to Tipeshwar (Yavatmal) and Kanhargaon, forming an essential tiger dispersal corridor for maintaining genetic diversity and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Coal Mining in the News: Durgapur Opencast Project
• What It Is? The Durgapur Opencast Mine by Western Coalfields Ltd received NBWL clearance to divert 80.77 hectares of forest land within the tiger corridor.
• The Durgapur Opencast Mine by Western Coalfields Ltd received NBWL clearance to divert 80.77 hectares of forest land within the tiger corridor.
• Project Features: Lies between Tadoba–Kanhargaon–Tipeshwar, critical tiger linkage. Approval came with Rs. 18.07 crore Wildlife Management Plan prepared by Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Measures include fencing, removal of invasive prosopis, and field surveys to minimize wildlife disruption.
• Lies between Tadoba–Kanhargaon–Tipeshwar, critical tiger linkage.
• Approval came with Rs. 18.07 crore Wildlife Management Plan prepared by Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• Measures include fencing, removal of invasive prosopis, and field surveys to minimize wildlife disruption.