Maharashtra’s Hidden Gem

Dry Deciduous Forests of Tipeshwar

About 150 kilometres from Nagpur, in Yawatmal district lies this small sanctuary called Tipeshwar, named after a God of the same name. The sanctuary represents the dry deciduous forests of the state and the pre-monsoon landscape could be out of a film. Nothing quite prepares you for the amazing array of wildlife that one can spot despite the extreme conditions. What takes you by surprise is the number of tigers that inhabit this 150 sq kilometre area and can be spotted. The Forest Department have to be complimented on their wonderful work on establishing waterholes throughout the area that represent true innovation and technology. Each waterhole has a solar panel that derives enough power to pump water into the waterhole. It is at one such a waterhole that we had the most exhilarating experience of watching an adult female tiger wallow in the water, followed by her two sub-adult female cubs. The sanctuary gets a lot of day visitors from Nagpur as well as Adilabad in Telangana. However, Tipeshwar still remains relatively unknown for the other tourists who flock larger protected areas such as Tadoba. Perhaps it is these hidden gems that will help nurture and conserve wildlife populations in the country as the larger known protected areas gets inundated with tourists and resorts choke their peripheries.

Tipeshwar Temple

Adult Female Tiger at Waterhole

Sub-Adult Female Cub