Correct Answer : Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, recently announced the notification of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh as the 56th Tiger Reserve in India. This monumental step in wildlife conservation marks a significant milestone for the country’s efforts to preserve its tiger population and biodiversity.
Overview of the Tiger Reserve
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located in Chhattisgarh, covering a sprawling area of 2,829.38 sq. km, making it the third-largest tiger reserve in India after:
* Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh.
* Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
The reserve encompasses two key wildlife habitats :
* Guru Ghasidas National Park
* Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary
It comprises a core/critical tiger habitat of
2,049.2 sq. km and a buffer zone of
780.15 sq. km. This expansive area spans across Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh. The tiger reserve is part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and partially the Baghelkhand Plateau, known for their diverse terrains and rich biodiversity.
Significance of the Notification :
The notification of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve aligns with the
National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) recommendation under Project Tiger. The NTCA gave its final approval for the notification in October 2021. This addition brings the total number of tiger reserves in Chhattisgarh to four, enhancing the state’s contribution to tiger conservation.
Ecological Importance
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is crucial for maintaining the landscape approach to conservation, as outlined in India’s National Wildlife Plan. The reserve is:
* Contiguous with the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, forming a landscape complex of nearly 4,500 sq. km.
* Connected to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (west) in Madhya Pradesh and the Palamau Tiger Reserve (east) in Jharkhand.
This connectivity facilitates the movement of tigers and other wildlife across states, ensuring genetic diversity and sustainable populations.
Biodiversity at the Tiger Reserve :
The reserve boasts a rich faunal diversity with
753 documented species, including:
* 365 invertebrate species (primarily from the class Insecta).
* 388 vertebrate species, including:
* 230 species of birds
* 55 species of mammals, many of which are threatened species.
The presence of dense forests, rivers, and streams creates favorable habitats for tigers and other wildlife. These features make the reserve a critical ecological hotspot in India.