The landscape of Vidarbha offers more than political boundaries or agricultural patterns. It is home to some of the most ecologically significant regions in central India, shaped by dense forests, freshwater systems, and a rich diversity of species.

These areas not only support rare and endangered wildlife but also act as critical buffers against environmental degradation. While major reserves are often noted for their tiger populations, less-publicised sanctuaries and wetlands in Vidarbha contribute equally to biodiversity and regional ecology.

Together, they form an interlinked natural infrastructure crucial for both conservation and scientific research. Understanding these ecological hotspots is key to assessing the region’s long-term environmental sustainability and its relevance to national conservation efforts.

1. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

   
   

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve stands as one of the most important protected areas in Maharashtra. Located in Chandrapur district, it is the oldest national park in the state and is spread over an area of 1,727 square kilometres, including core and buffer zones. The reserve comprises tropical dry deciduous forests, meadows, and the Erai Reservoir, which supports diverse plant and animal species. Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and gaurs are among its well-documented inhabitants. Tadoba plays a central role in tiger conservation, being a successful model under the Project Tiger initiative. In recent years, it has gained popularity for its high chances of tiger sightings, making it a hotspot for wildlife photography and eco-tourism. Conservationists consider Tadoba’s stability vital for tiger genetic diversity in central India.

2. Navegaon–Nagzira Tiger Reserve

   
   

Formed by combining Navegaon National Park and Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, this tiger reserve spans Gondia and Bhandara districts. It provides a corridor between major reserves like Pench and Tadoba, supporting the movement of large carnivores. The reserve’s ecosystem includes thick teak forests, bamboo groves, and wetland systems. It is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, and chitals, along with over 200 species of birds. The reserve is especially significant for ornithologists, as it supports nearly 60% of all bird species found in Maharashtra. Wetlands like Navegaon Lake serve as important stopovers for migratory birds. Researchers often cite this reserve when assessing habitat connectivity across eastern Vidarbha.

3. Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra Side)

   
   

While often associated with Madhya Pradesh, a considerable portion of the Pench Tiger Reserve falls within Maharashtra's Nagpur district. It includes forested hills, riverine belts, and grasslands that are ideal habitats for large carnivores and herbivores. The reserve has a viable tiger population and supports leopards, wild dogs, and sambar deer. The Pench River, flowing through the park, maintains the region’s hydrology and sustains its biodiversity. Maharashtra’s portion complements the Madhya Pradesh side by facilitating cross-border wildlife movement. Regular monitoring by the Forest Department ensures ecological continuity and supports data collection for conservation policy. Pench also serves as a site for field training and ecological studies for university students and forest officers.

4. Bor Wildlife Sanctuary

   
   

Located in Wardha district, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the smallest tiger habitats in India but holds considerable ecological significance. It covers around 138 square kilometres and includes mixed forests, hilly terrains, and a central reservoir. Bor has a healthy population of tigers and leopards, along with sambar, nilgai, and wild boars. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2014, and since then, conservation measures have intensified. A key aspect of Bor is its aquatic diversity, with over 72 recorded species of dragonflies and damselflies—important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. Researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society and local institutions have repeatedly highlighted Bor’s relevance in biodiversity indexing. Its location between Nagpur and Wardha also makes it accessible for educational visits and biodiversity audits.

5. Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary

   
   

Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Chandrapur district and was designated as a sanctuary in 2018. It serves as a crucial corridor connecting Tadoba and Umred-Karhandla sanctuaries, helping tigers and leopards move safely across territories. The sanctuary’s forest type is primarily dry deciduous, interspersed with bamboo clusters and open meadows. A large lake inside the sanctuary acts as a water source for both wildlife and nearby villages. The sanctuary also supports significant bird life and a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Though relatively new, Ghodazari is gaining attention for its potential in tiger conservation and its strategic ecological location. Environmental planners often include Ghodazari in discussions about enhancing protected area connectivity in Vidarbha.

6. Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary

   
   

Bhamragarh, located in Gadchiroli district, remains one of the lesser-visited yet ecologically vital sanctuaries in Vidarbha. Spread over approximately 104 square kilometres, it comprises dense tropical forests and perennial streams. The sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, wild boars, barking deer, and a variety of birds and reptiles. Its remote location and low human interference make it valuable for long-term ecological studies. It also supports tribal livelihoods, with regulated use of non-timber forest products. Wildlife biologists have called for more structured research on Bhamragarh due to its underexplored biodiversity. The Forest Department has indicated future plans to enhance patrolling and introduce eco-tourism modules.

7. Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary

   
   

Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts, covering an area of about 134 square kilometres. It is bordered by the Wainganga River and features dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrublands. The sanctuary supports species like the Indian bison, nilgai, wild dogs, and spotted deer. It has also been identified as a potential site for the reintroduction of the Asiatic water buffalo, a species that once thrived in the region. Chaprala is often overlooked in mainstream discourse, but conservationists acknowledge its value in buffering larger reserves. The presence of multiple prey species enhances its utility for sustaining predators. Its proximity to major sanctuaries makes it a candidate for inclusion in landscape-level wildlife management plans in Vidarbha.

8. Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary

   
   

Nagzira, now part of the larger Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, is situated between the Bhandara and Gondia districts. It features hilly terrain, seasonal streams, and a mix of teak and bamboo vegetation. Wildlife includes tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and a diverse set of bird species. Compared to other sanctuaries, Nagzira experiences relatively low tourist pressure, making it a more stable habitat. Conservation reports cite Nagzira as important for carnivore monitoring and prey-based evaluation. Forest officials conduct regular wildlife census activities in the area to monitor population trends. The sanctuary is particularly rich in butterfly and amphibian species, making it useful for ecological education initiatives.

9. Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary

   
   

Located in Buldhana district, Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary is built around the Lonar Crater, formed by a meteor impact roughly 52,000 years ago. This geological uniqueness has created a saline lake, which hosts microbes found nowhere else on Earth. The surrounding forest is classified as Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous and supports wildlife like sloth bears, hyenas, and wild boars. Over 160 species of birds, including both resident and migratory types, are recorded here. The sanctuary is also listed under the Ramsar Convention, highlighting its international ecological importance. Botanists and microbiologists often visit Lonar to study soil composition and aquatic life in extreme environments. Its combination of geological and ecological features makes it an irreplaceable hotspot in Vidarbha.

10. Gondia’s Lakes and Wetlands

    
    

Gondia district contains several natural and man-made lakes that serve as freshwater biodiversity hubs. Key sites include Ramsagar, Paraswada, Soundad, and Bazartola. These wetlands support a wide range of species such as freshwater fish, amphibians, dragonflies, and waterbirds. Seasonal migratory birds from Central Asia and Europe use these lakes as wintering grounds. These water bodies also provide ecological services like groundwater recharge, temperature regulation, and flood mitigation. Studies by local environmental groups have identified these lakes as breeding sites for rare amphibians and odonates. The ecological role of these wetlands is often overshadowed by larger forest reserves, but their conservation is equally critical to maintaining Vidarbha’s biodiversity.

Ecological conservation in Vidarbha cannot be limited to high-profile tiger reserves. The strength of the region’s biodiversity lies in the interconnectedness of lesser-known sanctuaries, crater lakes, and inland wetlands.

While tourism tends to favour a few flagship destinations, the broader ecological network sustains both wildlife and human communities across the region. Forest corridors, bird habitats, freshwater reservoirs, and underexplored sanctuaries all contribute to ecological balance. Protecting these areas is not only about saving species but also about ensuring environmental stability and resource sustainability. Any long-term conservation framework for Maharashtra must account for the cumulative importance of Vidarbha’s ecological hotspots, even when they fall outside public attention.