Description
The Gond kings ruled over this area for several centuries, as they did much of central India. The Marathas established their rule in the the 18th century, followed by the British about a century later. Tadoba’s forests and grasslands became part of the ‘Raj’ and subject to its forest management practices.
There is a story that is told in these parts: the mythology of a man who became a deity. Taru, a Gond tribal, a respected village headman, encountered a mighty tiger at a lake near his village. A fierce battle ensued, though its conclusion is disputed: some say that Taru vanquished the tiger, others believe that it was Taru, despite his valiance, who was slain. At any rate, the man passed into legend. A shrine was erected in his honour and the lake, as well as the forests surrounding it, came to bear his name. Hence, from Taru, comes Tadoba.
Lok Biradari Prakalp (LBP) is a social project of the Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Warora in Chadrapur district involving a hospital, a school and an animal orphanage.It was started on 23 December 1973, by the social worker Baba Amte for integrated development of Madia Gond. It is in village Hemalkasa of Bhamragad taluka in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra state.The LBP project is located at a distance 160 k.m. from Gadchiroli district headquarter and 60 k.m. away from Allapalli.
Dr. Prakash Amte and his wife Dr. Mandakini Amte, who serve as the Medical Director and Medical Officer at the project respectively, were awarded the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership.