Blog Details
Chhattisgarh to get new tiger reserve amid declining tiger population
In response to decline in tiger population, Chhattisgarh has officially approved the creation of a new tiger reserve, marking a significant step in the state's wildlife conservation efforts. Announced recently, the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will be the third largest in India, spanning an impressive 2,829 sq km across four northern districts of the state.This move comes after the Chhattisgarh High Court intervened on July 15, granting the state government four weeks to address the proposal of declaring the area a tiger reserve. The urgency of this decision is in line with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which revealed a dramatic drop in Chhattisgarh’s tiger population from 46 in 2014 to just 17 in 2022. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change had previously highlighted this alarming trend, noting similar concerns in several other states.
The newly designated Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve integrates the Guru Ghasidas National Park and the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the districts of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur. This expansion aims to bolster tiger conservation efforts by creating a contiguous habitat that supports the survival and proliferation of these big cats.
The Chhattisgarh government has emphasized that the establishment of this tiger reserve will not only aid in wildlife preservation but also stimulate eco-tourism and provide economic opportunities for local communities. Villagers residing in the core and buffer zones of the reserve are expected to benefit from new roles as guides, tourist vehicle operators, and resort managers. Additionally, the National Project Tiger Authority will allocate extra funding to support the reserve’s operations and facilitate livelihood development projects in nearby villages.
The proposal for the reserve has been long awaited. A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the Guru Ghasidas National Park was initially designated as a tiger reserve in 2021 but faced delays due to opposition related to mining activities in the area.
India's largest tiger reserve, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, covers 3,296.31 sq km, while the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam ranks second, spanning 2,837.1 sq km. Both reserves are home to 58 tigers each. The addition of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve marks a crucial advancement in India's ongoing efforts to protect and preserve its tiger populations.
Source: Times Of India
