India’s Third Largest Tiger Reserve
Context:
Chhattisgarh is set to enhance its wildlife conservation efforts with the establishment of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, which has been officially designated as India’s 56th tiger reserve and the third largest in the country.
The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam are at first and second largest tiger reserves in the country respectively.
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- It underscores India’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and safeguarding its tiger population.
- With over 70% of the world’s tiger population residing in India, this initiative plays a crucial role in global tiger conservation efforts.
About Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
- The newly designated reserve covers an area of 2,829.38 square kilometres, with a core area of 2,049.2 square kilometres that includes the Guru Ghasidas National Park and the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The remaining area consists of a buffer zone of 780.15 square kilometres, designed to minimise human-wildlife conflicts and provide essential habitat for various species.
- The reserve is strategically located across several districts: Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur.
- It is part of a larger ecological landscape that connects with other significant reserves, such as the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and the Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand.
- According to a survey by the Zoological Survey of India, the reserve hosts 753 species, including 388 vertebrates (such as 230 bird species and 55 mammal species) and 365 invertebrates.
Project Tiger
Launched in 1973, Project Tiger aims to protect tigers in their natural habitats while promoting conservation efforts across India. The initiative has led to the establishment of numerous tiger reserves and has significantly contributed to increasing tiger populations through habitat preservation and anti-poaching measures.
Tx2 Initiative
The Tx2 initiative, launched by the Global Tiger Initiative, aims to double the number of wild tigers globally by 2022. This ambitious goal aligns with India’s efforts under Project Tiger to enhance tiger populations through habitat connectivity and improved management practices.
How to Declare a Tiger Reserve
The process for declaring a tiger reserve in India involves several steps:
- Identification of Potential Areas: Areas with suitable habitats for tigers are identified based on ecological assessments.
- State Government Notification: The respective state government issues a notification under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Recommendations from NTCA: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provides recommendations and guidelines for establishing reserves.
- The NTCA was established in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to provide statutory authority for Project Tiger’s implementation. It plays a crucial role in policy formulation, funding support, and technical assistance for tiger conservation across India.
- Final Notification: After thorough assessments and consultations, the area is officially notified as a tiger reserve.
Statistics Related to Tiger Population
- India’s tiger population rose to 3,682 in 2022, according to the Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) 5th quadrennial tiger census.
- This updated figure, revised from an earlier estimate of 3,167, reflects an impressive annual growth rate of 6.1%.
- Madhya Pradesh continues to lead with the largest tiger population at 785, followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).
- Among tiger reserves, Corbett National Park boasts the highest tiger abundance with 260 individuals, followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135), and Dudhwa (135).
- Regional trends show significant growth in tiger populations in Central India, the Shivalik Hills, and the Gangetic Plains.
- However, localised declines in the Western Ghats call for focused monitoring and conservation initiatives.
- Meanwhile, several states, including Mizoram, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh, reported worrying trends due to their small and vulnerable tiger populations. These findings underscore the need for targeted efforts to address conservation challenges in these areas.
