Often I am asked which is the best season to visit Tadoba. Frankly the question would just have been — ‘When can I see the most number of tigers on a jungle safari’! In fact, in many forests like Tadoba, Kanha, Ranthambore, Bandhavgad and a few others, a good jungle experience is equated with sighting of good number of tigers. Imagine if everyone who went for movies and only and only wanted to watch Salman or Shah Rukh! Fortunately today, we all enjoy the acting of other actors equally. Similarly, if we went to the forest with an open mind to enjoy the jungle experience — the bird calls, flowering blooms, smells and signs of animals and just the amazing solitude of waiting under great trees or by the lakeside — I am sure each and every visit to the forest would be equally enriching. Personally, at Tadoba, the sight of drongos imitating other birds, flycatchers chasing insects through the undergrowth and an eagle calling out from a treetop also give the same adrenaline rush that a ‘sighting’ of a big cat or wild dog or even hair ball called sloth bear, would give.
The season that probably is my favourite starts with pleasant February and goes into hot May. To many like me, it is the flowering time for the most spectacular wild trees that entices us to visit this enchanting forest. Come spring in February-March, Tadoba becomes a riot of colours. The Palas (Butea monosperma) tree – the flame of the forest – is in full bloom setting off a spectacular visual fire in the forest. The red-orange inflorescence attracts a multitude of birds. Some are attracted to the nectar of the flower and others to the insects who too have been enticed. This is also the time when a migratory species – the rosy starlings, a colourful myna, literally hijacks the entire tree.
Descending in noisy flocks of hundreds, these birds ensure that other birds prefer to escape the chaos and go off in search of peace elsewhere. Palas is followed by another fascinating tree of Mahua (Madhuka indica). It is also referred to as the Kalpavriksh, which means that every part of the tree, contributes to the prosperity of the tribal community that lives in these forests. The flowers are collected as the perfect substitute for costly sugar that the locals can’t afford. On fermentation, these very flowers are distilled to produce the much famed Mahua liquor. However, the denizens of the forest too relish these flowers and more specifically the sloth bear, which unfortunately brings it into frequent conflicts with the locals collectors. Very often the big cats end up pouncing on a flower picker squatting on the ground, confusing it to be a prey animal. Otherwise, to the jungle population, the two legged animal is the most dangerous and to be kept away from. The sloth bear on the other hand searches for food on the ground – fruits and insects. It is only when this furry animal comes face to face with humans, that the meeting not very cordial.
Injury and death are the only results. The Forest Department on its part to prevent such conflicts, is providing other livelihood options to the forest neighbouring communities to ensure that fewer people venture into the forests. Even as these beautiful trees are flowering, the jungle is gifted with three white beauties- the highly medicinal Medshing (Dolichandrone falcate), Ghogar (Gardenia latifolia) and Dikemali (Gardenia gummifera). Another beauty that decorates the greens of Tadoba is the not-so-common Bilwa or Varun (Crateva religiosa). This is a beautiful tree generally associated with temples and graves and different parts of this tree find use in traditional medicines. The spectacular golden showers of Bahava (Cassia fistula) decorate what by now is a very dry and leafless forest.
Little wonder that this tree fascinates all forest residents. Langoors enjoy the flowers and a number of birds flock to catch the visiting insects. The long black pod, when ripe is devoured by sloth bears and langoors with equal gusto. I would suggest you plan a visit to Tadoba in this period, even though you may face hardships associated with rising mercury. The experience Tadoba provides will be cherished for long. Incidentally, with the trees shedding their leaves, this probably is the best time to observe the glamorous mammals including the two big cats!
