India got its 58th Tiger Reserve

• Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, Vindhya Range, 50 km from Bhopal;
• 824 sq km (318 sq mi) total area.

• Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, near the Madhav National Park;
• 354.85 sq km (137.3 sq mi) total area.

• Established as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1976.
• Designated as Tiger Reserve on 2 Dec 2024

• Biome: Dry and moist deciduous forests, 55% covered with teak.
• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, spotted deer, sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, jackals, wild dogs.
• Water Bodies: Barna Reservoir, Ratapani Dam, seasonal streams.

• Biome: Dry deciduous forests with significant scrub and grasslands.
• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, spotted deer, sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, jackals, wild dogs.
• Water Bodies: Sindh River, Pitakhal Lake, and seasonal streams.

• A tiger reserve is a protected area created under the Project Tiger initiative launched in 1973 by the Indian government to protect tigers and their natural habitats.
• A TR is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
• These reserves are a part of the conservation efforts to ensure the survival of tigers, preserve biodiversity, and maintain ecological balance.
  • The first TR in India was the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, established in 1973. It was also the first national park to be part of the Project Tiger initiative.
• Key Features of a Tiger Reserve:
  • Core Area: A core area is designated as a national park or sanctuary, where human activity is restricted to protect the wildlife.
  • Buffer Area: Surrounding the core area, the buffer zone consists of a mix of forest and non-forest land, used for controlled human activity while ensuring wildlife conservation. These buffer zones serve as transitional areas for wildlife, providing essential corridors for movement.

PYQ:

[2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

(a) Corbett

(b) Ranthambore

(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam

(d) Sunderbans