Maharashtra: Tigers galore at Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary

Tiger spotting season has officially begun and one can expect huge crowd at some of the famous reserves in Maharashtra. However, wildlife photographers — who are regular to the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal — swear by the fact that this lesser known forest could certainly be one of the best places to spot tigers away from crowds this summer.

Though not famous among tourists, there has been a growing demand from wildlife experts and even forest officials to get this wildlife sanctuary upgraded to a Tiger Reserve for better conservation and funding.

Sarosh Lodhi — a Nagpur-based businessman and a wildlife photographer who regularly visits Tipeshwar, which is approximately 160 km from Nagpur — shared that this forest was a welcome relief from several other crowded reserves.

"The forest is beautiful and it also holds good potential for tiger sightings. However, not a lot of tourists are aware of this place. Hence, we have been in our own ways trying to promote this place. In fact, if more tourists start visiting Tipeshwar it will help the forest department generate a good revenue and more facilities will be developed," shared Lodhi, adding that currently there are local run taxi's to visit the forest or one can drive in their own vehicle along with local guides. One might not find plenty of resorts, but there are decent places to stay around 10 kilometers away.

According to estimates, the sanctuary has around 10 tigers including sub-adults and the neighbouring territorial forest area has around four tigers. Apart from tigers, the sanctuary its also home to leopards, hyenas, wild boar, monkey and blue bulls along with several birds and reptile species.