Environment and Ecology — Tiger Reserves in News
1. Ratapani Tiger Reserve
Context: Madhya Pradesh's 8th Tiger Reserve, reinforcing its title as the "Tiger State of India".
- Location: Raisen & Sehore districts, Madhya Pradesh, near Vindhya Hills.
- Significance: Encompasses Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A key tiger corridor linking the Satpura ranges.
- Tiger Population: ~90 tigers.
- Flora: Dry & moist deciduous forests, 55% teak cover.
- Fauna: Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, spotted deer, sambar deer.
Key Point: Ratapani Tiger Reserve is Madhya Pradesh's 8th Tiger Reserve and encompasses the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
2. Madhav National Park
Context: Tiger Reintroduction Program — Phase II: More tigers to be relocated from Bandhavgarh, Kanha & Sanjay-Dubri National Parks.
- Location: Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Area: 1,751 sq. km.
- Flora: Dry deciduous forests with teak, sal, and mixed vegetation.
- Fauna:
- Carnivores: Tigers, leopards.
- Herbivores: Sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara.
- Other: Sloth bears, 200+ bird species (incl. migratory birds in winter).
3. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
Context: Chhattisgarh's 4th Tiger Reserve and India's 3rd largest Tiger Reserve (after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam & Manas).
- Location: Northern Chhattisgarh, bordering Madhya Pradesh & Jharkhand.
- Landscape: Part of the Chota Nagpur & Baghelkhand Plateaus.
- Connectivity:
- West: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (MP)
- East: Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand)
- Rivers: Origin of Hasdeo, Gopad & Baranga; catchment for Neur, Bijadhur, Banas & Rehand.
- Flora: Sub-tropical & deciduous forests, dominated by Sal (Sakhua) trees.
Key Point: Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla is India's 3rd largest Tiger Reserve (after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam & Manas).
4. Pench Tiger Reserve
Context: Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book".
- Location: Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra.
- Components: Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, Pench Mowgli Sanctuary & a Buffer Zone.
- Naming: Named after the Pench River.
- Connectivity: Linked with Kanha, Pench (MP), Tadoba Andhari, Navegaon-Nagzira & Bor Tiger Reserves.
- Flora: Tendu, Teak, Saag, Mahua.
- Fauna: Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar, Chital, Chousingha, Pintail, Whistling Teal, Vegtel.
- Historical Significance: Mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari.
Key Point: Pench Tiger Reserve inspired Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" and is mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari.
5. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Context: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India's 1st Biosphere Reserve).
- Location: Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu; at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Biosphere Connection: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India's 1st Biosphere Reserve).
- Flora: Elephant Grass, Teak, Rosewood, Giant Bamboo.
- Fauna: Tiger, Asian Elephant, Spotted Deer, Common Langur, Wild Dog, Indian Gaur, Malabar Giant Squirrel.
6. Melghat Tiger Reserve
Context: "Melghat" means confluence of valleys. Located on the Gavilgarh Hills (southern offshoot of the Satpura Range).
- Location: Amravati district, Maharashtra.
- Rivers: Catchment area for Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar (tributaries of Tapti River). Tapti River and Gawilgadh Ridge form its boundaries.
- Flora: Tropical dry deciduous forest, dominated by Teak, Lagerstroemia Parviflora, Terminalia Tomentosa, Ougeinia Oojeinensis, Emblica Officinalis, Bamboo.
- Fauna: Tigers, Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Sambar Deer, Leopard, Nilgai, Dhole, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Langur.
7. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
Context: Named after Rani Durgavati, the Gond queen.
- Location: Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts, Madhya Pradesh.
- Formation: Includes parts of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Flora: Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Ber, Amla.
- Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Wolves, Jackals, Indian Foxes, Striped Hyenas, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambar, Black Buck, Barking Deer, Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, White-Rumped and Indian Vultures.
8. Valmiki Tiger Reserve
Context: Easternmost Himalayan Terai forest in India.
- Location: West Champaran district, Bihar; borders Nepal (north) and Uttar Pradesh (west).
- Rivers: Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, Bhapsa.
- Vegetation: Mixed moist deciduous; dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta), Rohini (Mallotus phillipensis), Sihor (Strebulus asper).
- Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Indian Wild Dogs, Leopard Cat, Fishing Cat, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Indian Bison (Gaur), Nilgai, Wild Boar.
9. Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Context: India's largest tiger reserve with the most extensive Critical Tiger Habitat; home to 80+ tigers. (UPSC 2020)
- Location: Nallamala Hills, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Eastern Ghats); spans five districts.
- Named After: Nagarjuna Sagar & Srisailam Dams.
- Sanctuaries Included: Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
- River: Krishna River flows through the reserve.
- Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous forests with bamboo & grass undergrowth.
Key Point: Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam is India's largest tiger reserve and is located in the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats. (UPSC 2020)
10. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Context: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, at the confluence of Eastern & Western Ghats. (UPSC 2017)
- Location: Erode District, Tamil Nadu.
- Significance: Tamil Nadu's fourth largest tiger reserve.
- Corridor: The Great Moyar Corridor connects Mudumalai & Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves (via-Mudumalai–Mangalapatti–Thengumarada–Karachikorai–Bannari).
- Vegetation: Southern tropical dry thorn forests, mixed deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, and riparian forests.
Key Point: Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is at the confluence of Eastern & Western Ghats. (UPSC 2017)
11. Similipal Tiger Reserve
Context: Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2009). Unique feature: Melanistic (black) Tigers.
- Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, at the eastern edge of the Eastern Ghats.
- Designation: Tiger Reserve since 1956.
- Recognition:
- Included in Project Tiger (1973)
- Declared a Biosphere Reserve (1994)
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2009)
- Part of: Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, covering Similipal, Hadagarh, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Tribes: Erenga Kharias & Mankirdias (traditional agriculture, timber collection).
- Unique Feature: Only place with Melanistic (black) Tigers.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Flying Squirrel, Langur.
Key Point: Similipal is the only place with Melanistic (black) Tigers and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
12. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
Context: Largest & oldest Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra.
- Location: Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.
- Name Origin:
- "Tadoba" — Named after the deity Taru, worshipped by local tribes.
- "Andhari" — Named after the Andhari River flowing through the reserve.
- Corridor Linkages: Nagzira-Navegaon & Pench Tiger Reserves.
- Habitat: Central Plateau (Deccan Peninsula), undulating topography, rich biodiversity.
- Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests.
- Water Bodies: Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, Tadoba River.
- Flora: Teak, crocodile bark, salai, tendu, karaya gum, mahua, bamboo.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Gaur, Chital, Sambar.
13. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
Context: Maharashtra plans to relocate tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
- Location: Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
- Origin: Created in 2010 by merging Koyana Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park.
- Forest Ecosystem: Diverse forests, including subtropical hill, semi-evergreen, tropical dry deciduous, and tropical moist deciduous.
- Fauna: Tigers, Atlas moths, Moon moths, Blue-finned Mahseer fish, and Hornbills.
14. Summary: Tiger Reserves at a Glance
| Tiger Reserve | State | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ratapani TR | Madhya Pradesh | Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (UNESCO); 8th TR of MP |
| Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | India's 3rd largest TR; Sal forests |
| Pench TR | MP & Maharashtra | Inspiration for "The Jungle Book"; Ain-i-Akbari |
| Mudumalai TR | Tamil Nadu | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India's 1st) |
| Melghat TR | Maharashtra | Confluence of valleys; Tapti River |
| Valmiki TR | Bihar | Easternmost Himalayan Terai forest |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam | AP & Telangana | Largest TR in India; Krishna River (UPSC 2020) |
| Sathyamangalam TR | Tamil Nadu | Confluence of E & W Ghats (UPSC 2017) |
| Similipal TR | Odisha | Melanistic tigers; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve |
| Tadoba-Andhari TR | Maharashtra | Largest & oldest TR of Maharashtra |
| Sahyadri TR | Maharashtra | Created 2010; Koyana Sanctuary + Chandoli NP |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Ratapani (MP): Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (UNESCO); 8th TR of MP
- Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla (Chhattisgarh): India's 3rd largest TR; Sal forests
- Pench (MP & Maharashtra): Inspiration for "The Jungle Book"; Ain-i-Akbari
- Mudumalai (TN): Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India's 1st)
- Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam (AP & Telangana): Largest TR in India (UPSC 2020)
- Sathyamangalam (TN): Confluence of E & W Ghats (UPSC 2017)
- Similipal (Odisha): Only place with Melanistic tigers; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Tadoba-Andhari (Maharashtra): Largest & oldest TR of Maharashtra
- Sahyadri (Maharashtra): Created 2010; Koyana Sanctuary + Chandoli NP
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Tiger Reserves in News)
Q1. Which Tiger Reserve encompasses the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site)?
Correct Answer: C. Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh encompasses the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is Madhya Pradesh's 8th Tiger Reserve.
Q2. Which is India's largest tiger reserve?
Correct Answer: B. Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is India's largest tiger reserve, located in the Nallamala Hills of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. (UPSC 2020)
Q3. Which tiger reserve is known for Melanistic (black) tigers?
Correct Answer: C. Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha is the only place with Melanistic (black) tigers. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Q4. Which tiger reserve is located at the confluence of Eastern and Western Ghats?
Correct Answer: B. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu is located at the confluence of Eastern and Western Ghats. (UPSC 2017)
Q5. Which tiger reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India's first Biosphere Reserve)?
Correct Answer: C. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is India's first Biosphere Reserve.
Q6. Which tiger reserve was created by merging Koyana Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park?
Correct Answer: C. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra was created in 2010 by merging Koyana Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park.
Q7. Which tiger reserve is named after the Gond queen Rani Durgavati?
Correct Answer: C. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is named after Rani Durgavati, the Gond queen.
Q8. The Pench Tiger Reserve inspired which famous literary work?
Correct Answer: C. Pench Tiger Reserve inspired Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book." It is also mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari.
Q9. Which is the largest and oldest tiger reserve in Maharashtra?
Correct Answer: C. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is the largest and oldest tiger reserve in Maharashtra. "Tadoba" is named after the deity Taru, worshipped by local tribes.
Q10. Which tiger reserve is India's 3rd largest and is located in Chhattisgarh?
Correct Answer: B. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is India's 3rd largest tiger reserve (after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam and Manas). It is located in northern Chhattisgarh.