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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Melghat Tiger Reserve

One of the last remaining habitats of the tiger in Maharashtra, the Melghat area was declared a tiger reserve in 1974. In 1994, the core area of the reserve, the Gugarnal National Park (1987) and buffer area of the reserve, the Melghat Tiger Sanctuary, were added and the entire area and re-notified as the Melghat Sanctuary.

Situated on the southern side of the Satpura range, in Maharashtra, with the hills forming the south western boundary, the reserve's highest point is Vairat, at 1,178 m above MSL. The river Tapti forms a natural north-eastern boundary.

The reserve is a catchment aarea formed by the five tributaries of the Tapti — Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga and Dolar. The rugged topography aids the conservation efforts. The dry tropical deciduous forest is populated mainly by teak.

Also visit: The Gavilgarh fort and the Narnala fort in the sanctuary.

Area: 1676.93 sq. km.

Mammals: Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, sambar, gaur, barking deer, nilgai, cheetal, chousinga, ratel, flying squirrel, wild boar, langur, rhesus monkey, porcupine, pangolin, mouse deer, python, otter, caracal and black napped hare.

Best time to visit: October to June

How to get there:

Road: Semadoh from Badnera/ Amaravati (100-110 km) within three hours drive by road.

Rail: Badnera / Amravati (110 km)

Air: Nagpur (225 km)

Where to stay: There's a Nature Education and Interpretation centre at Semadoh with four dormitories (64 beds), 10 huts (20 beds) and tents. Tent facility (six tents) has been established at 11 different places for trekkers in the reserve.

Contact: Maharashtra Field Director, Melghat Tiger Reserve Camp Road, Amravati-444602, ph: 0721-2662792 (O) 0721-2663604 or fax 0721-2662792.

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