The best safari is an ethical one!
Violation of any mentioned rules will
invite legal action and fine.
While all of us know that Tadoba is a forest full of biodiversity, only a few know about the uncommon or rare varieties of plants found here. I consider myself very fortunate to have an opportunity to work in Tadoba and to study the richness of its natural treasure.
The most interesting species among such lesser-known plants are insectivorous plants. Tadoba’s forests have two varieties of these insectivorous plants – Drosera burmanni and Drosera indica – both from the family Droseracae. They are called Jalakeshar and Kitakbakshi in the local language. They are found in moisty and marshy areas of the forest. If you are observant enough, you can find them around lakes, fields or waterbodies. I have seen these species at Kolsa lake and Pangdi lake in the Kolsa zone of TATR.
Drosera is a small stemless plant. It is red in colour and its leaves are radical. Its flowering season is between October to April. Why is this plant called insectivorous? At the upper part of this plant, there are some special glands that produce a sticky substance. Insects and ants get attracted to this sticky substance. As soon as they approach the upper part of Drosera, they are stuck to it.
One may think- how can a plant ‘eat’ an insect? Plants like Drosera explain it the best. They lure, capture, and digest insects using stalked mucilaginous glands covering their leaf surfaces. The insects supplement the poor mineral nutrition of the soil.
Insectivorous plants like Drosera help in controlling the insects’ population and thus maintaining the ecological balance. Worldwide, Drosera are at risk of extinction due to the destruction of natural habitat through urban and agricultural development. They are also threatened by the illegal collection of wild plants for the horticultural trade.
So next time you visit Tadoba, look for this hidden treasure of the forest and consider yourself lucky if you get to see one.
