The forests of Vidarbha in eastern Maharashtra have long drawn the attention of conservationists, wildlife biologists, and forest officials for their ecological variety.

Spread across protected regions like Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Tipeshwar, and Nagzira, these forests host species rarely seen elsewhere in India. Some of these species are endemic to central India, while others show unique behavioural or genetic characteristics that separate them from their counterparts in other states. Vidarbha’s forests span both dry deciduous and semi-evergreen zones, creating distinct microhabitats.

These ecological boundaries have contributed to the development of highly specialised animal populations. Many of these species are listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, while others are still under scientific review for their status and range. Together, they form a part of the ecological identity of Vidarbha that rarely finds mention in mainstream wildlife reporting.

1. Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti)

The Forest Owlet is a critically endangered bird species found only in fragmented patches of central India, with Melghat Tiger Reserve in Vidarbha being its primary stronghold. This bird was considered extinct until it was rediscovered in 1997 in the Satpura range. Since then, most recorded sightings have been from Melghat, which now represents the most reliable habitat for its survival. The Forest Owlet prefers dry deciduous teak forests and nests in tree cavities, often close to open patches for easier foraging. Its population is estimated to be fewer than 250 mature individuals globally.

This bird is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, offering it the highest level of legal protection in India. Conservation programmes in Vidarbha have centred around this species due to its highly localised habitat requirements and its status as a biological indicator.

2. Central Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica centralis)

The Central Indian Giant Squirrel is a subspecies of the Indian giant squirrel, uniquely adapted to the forests of Vidarbha and adjoining central Indian landscapes. Its core habitat lies in the dry deciduous forests of the Satpura range, particularly in Melghat. Unlike the Malabar giant squirrel seen in the Western Ghats, this subspecies is smaller and less vividly coloured, making it better suited to the local tree canopy and forest floor. It is arboreal and rarely descends to the ground, relying on continuous forest cover for mobility and feeding. The squirrel plays a critical role in seed dispersal, contributing to the regeneration of native trees in Vidarbha.

Recent field studies have flagged declining numbers due to habitat loss, forest fires, and the conversion of forests into monoculture plantations. Conservationists have recommended expanding the buffer zones in Melghat to support stable populations of this subspecies.

3. Rusty-Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) – Vidarbha Population

The Rusty-Spotted Cat is the smallest wild cat in the world, with adult individuals weighing between 1 to 1.6 kilograms. Although its distribution spans several parts of India and Sri Lanka, the population in Tadoba-Andhari and Tipeshwar in Vidarbha is ecologically significant due to its adaptation to drier, human-dominated landscapes. These cats prefer dense vegetation but are also seen near agricultural fields, especially in fragmented buffer zones where prey like rodents is available. Nocturnal by habit, they are rarely spotted, making scientific documentation limited.

However, camera trap evidence from Tadoba confirms their presence across multiple zones in the reserve. Wildlife biologists suggest that their frequent sightings near villages are a sign of behavioural adaptation distinct from their counterparts in wetter forests of southern India. This variation has prompted discussions on whether regional micro-populations should be managed differently.

4. Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) – Vidarbha Subpopulation

The Mugger or Marsh Crocodile is a species found throughout the Indian subcontinent, but the individuals residing in Tadoba’s Erai reservoir and the lakes in Navegaon and Nagzira show signs of a genetically distinct subpopulation. A 2021 preliminary study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal indicated unique haplotypes in the Vidarbha crocodile population. These findings suggest long-term geographic isolation, possibly due to hydrological patterns in the Godavari basin. Although further genetic sampling is required, the study highlights the need for region-specific conservation policies. These crocodiles are mostly seen basking on mud banks and are active during dawn and dusk.

They play an important ecological role by regulating fish populations and maintaining wetland food chains. Local forest departments have begun marking crocodile habitat zones near tourist areas to avoid conflict and stress to the animals.

5. Four-Horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) – Melghat Plateau Population

The Four-Horned Antelope, also known as Chousingha, is a small antelope species found in isolated pockets across India. The population in Melghat and Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is of particular ecological interest due to its preference for rocky outcrops and mixed teak forests typical of the Vidarbha plateau. Unlike other antelope species, the Chousingha is usually solitary and extremely cautious, rarely venturing into open ground. Males are distinguished by having two pairs of horns, a feature not observed in any other antelope globally. This unique anatomical trait, combined with its elusive nature, has made it difficult to study. Local wildlife rangers have documented small groups in camera traps and waterhole monitoring stations.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and protected under Indian law, but its habitats remain under pressure from shifting cultivation and tourism-related disturbance.

6. Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus) – Vidarbha Behavioural Pattern

The Indian Rock Python is distributed across the subcontinent, but forest divisions in Tadoba and Tipeshwar have recorded behavioural patterns that differ from other regions. In Vidarbha, these reptiles are often found using deep burrows and abandoned wells as refuges during extreme heat or forest fires. Such use of man-made structures and microhabitats is not widely documented in other states. They are non-venomous but can grow over three metres in length and feed on birds, rodents, and small mammals. Forest fire incidents in Vidarbha have led to coordinated rescue and tracking efforts by the Forest Department.

These snakes are often victims of panic killings due to their size and sudden visibility during the summer months. Although not considered endangered, their population is vulnerable in human-dominated buffer zones, particularly in areas undergoing rapid land-use change.

7. Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) – Forest Edge Sighting Records

The Indian Pangolin is a nocturnal mammal known for its keratin scales and insectivorous diet, and is found in low densities across Vidarbha. Though not unique to the region, field teams in Nagzira and Tipeshwar have recorded sightings near forest edges and in degraded farmland adjoining protected zones. These records differ from those in other parts of India, where pangolins typically avoid human proximity. Their presence in Vidarbha’s ecotones suggests local behavioural flexibility, possibly due to the scarcity of natural termite mounds. The species is heavily trafficked for its scales and meat, prompting inclusion in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

The Vidarbha sightings have contributed to broader pangolin mapping efforts led by the Wildlife Institute of India. Regional forest divisions have launched sensitisation drives to curb poaching and improve community-led reporting.

8. Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) – Dry Zone Microhabitat Usage

Jungle Cats are widely distributed across India, but individuals in the dry deciduous zones of Vidarbha display distinct microhabitat usage. Sightings in Tadoba buffer areas have confirmed their reliance on grassy patches near water sources, a pattern seen less frequently in wetter regions. These medium-sized felines are often mistaken for domestic cats, although they have longer limbs and distinctive ear tufts. Their diet consists of small birds, reptiles, and rodents, making them important for pest control in agricultural zones. Unlike the Rusty-Spotted Cat, Jungle Cats in Vidarbha are more tolerant of open terrain.

Wildlife photographers and researchers have documented daytime movement, which is uncommon for the species elsewhere. These findings support the theory that local prey availability and climate may be influencing behavioural adaptation.

9. Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) – Tadoba–Tipeshwar Corridor Population

Sloth Bears are native to the Indian subcontinent, and Vidarbha holds some of their most stable populations within the central Indian highlands. The Tadoba–Tipeshwar corridor is a key landscape for these bears, facilitating genetic exchange between isolated groups. While not endemic, the population here has adapted to fragmented corridors with increasing human activity. Cases of bear presence in sugarcane fields and near village outskirts have become more frequent over the last five years.

These occurrences have led to the documentation of altered feeding behaviours, including opportunistic use of agricultural waste. In collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, forest departments have deployed radio collars to study movement patterns. Data from Vidarbha has since contributed to national-level corridor conservation plans.

10. Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) – Microclimatic Nesting Preference

The Indian Scops Owl is a small nocturnal bird found across India, but specific nesting habits have been documented in the dry teak forests of Vidarbha. In regions like Melghat and Tipeshwar, these owls favour old tree hollows in open-canopy forests rather than dense evergreen patches. This preference appears to be influenced by local temperature and prey abundance. Their vocal calls are often used by researchers to estimate population density, and Vidarbha’s dry climate offers unique acoustic environments for such studies. The species is not endangered but remains under observation due to its reliance on old-growth trees. Nesting season in Vidarbha typically begins earlier than in wetter zones, a detail corroborated by long-term field data. This shift is likely linked to the earlier onset of dry heat in the region compared to southern India.

The forested landscapes of Vidarbha host a mixture of truly endemic species, such as the Forest Owlet, and ecologically distinct populations of more widely distributed animals. While some of these species have already attracted national conservation attention, others remain under-documented and poorly understood.

Detailed fieldwork, supported by local forest departments and research institutions, continues to reveal the region’s ecological complexity. These findings are not merely academic but play a role in designing reserve boundaries, tourism regulations, and corridor protections. The forest ecology of Vidarbha cannot be reduced to flagship species alone. A full understanding requires acknowledging these less conspicuous but ecologically significant animal populations.