Tadoba National Park involves a tiger reserve in Chandrapur District in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and it is reputed as the biggest and the most ancient national park in Maharashtra. This national park is said to be amongst the 41 tiger reserves established under Project Tiger in the country. `Tadoba` is the name of the tribal deity `Tadoba` who is also revered as `Taru` worshipped by the regional tribals of the dense jungles of Andhari and Tadoba area. The Andhari River which flows across the forest is also accountable for the name `Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project`. Its total area measures about 1727 square kilometres. Tadoba National Park boasts of 43 tigers.

History of Tadoba National Park
As per a legendary tale, a certain village chief known as Taru was killed by a tiger who came across his tracks. After that incident, a shrine was built in the honour of God Taru underneath a giant tree on the banks of Tadoba Lake. The `Adivasis` visit the sacred shrine regularly particularly during the grand fair which is observed in the Hindu month `Pausha` which constitutes the period between December and January.

Once, these forests were controlled by the rulers of the Gond Dynasty, especially the region close to Chinur Hills. However, during the year 1935 hunting was completely prohibited. The region was proclaimed a national park in the year 1955 and the area occupied by it measured nearly 116.54 square kilometres. During the years 1986 and 1995, the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was established and eventually they were both joint together which created the current-day Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project.

Flora of Tadoba National Park
As much as 87 percent of the protected region of the Tadoba National Park is covered with southern tropical Dry Deciduous Forest wherein Teak is the most commonly found tree here. Arjuna, Black Plum, Tendu, Bija, Karaya Gum, Semal, Beheda, Hirda, Salai Dhaudi, Mahua Madhu and several other types of vegetation are also noticed in this tiger reserve. Bamboo thickets and clusters of grasses also grow in this region apart from Velvet Bean or `Kach Kujali` which is effective antidote for Parkinson`s Disease.

Fauna of Tadoba National Park
There exists 65 of the species of Royal Bengal Tiger, besides Striped Hyena, Indian Leopard, Chital, Dhole, Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Chausingha, Small Indian Civet, Sloth Bear, Barking Deer, Gaur, Jungle Cat and Marsh Crocodile in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Indian Cobra, Indian Python, Terrapins, Russel`s Viper, Indian Star Tortoise and Common Monitor are some of the reptiles who survive here. According to official records, this tiger reserve contains 195 species of birds including Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Black-naped Blue Flycatcher, Stone Curlew, Paradise Flycatcher, Orange-headed Thrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker, Bronze-winged Jacana, Crested Treeswift, Warbler and others, most of which are observed in the lake. Calls of Peacocks are often heard if one visits the region.

About 74 different species of butterflies add colours to the Tadoba National Park which comprise Swordtail, Pansies, Mormons and Monarchs. Jewel Beetles, Danaid Egg-Fly, Praying Mantis, Stick Insects, Great Eggfly, Dragonflies, etc. are some of the insects which thrive in the national park. Amongst these insects, Hynx Spiders, Signature Spider, Crab Spider, Red Wood Spider, Wolf Spiders and Giant Wood Spider are very commonly noticed.