PALAMU TIGER RESERVE

Subject: Environment

Context: Don’t lay 3rd broad gauge track in core area of Palamu Tiger Reserve: Jharkhand to Centre.

Concept:

The Palamau Tiger Reserve is one of the nine original tiger reserves in Jharkhand, India and the only one in this state. It forms part of Betla National Park and Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary.
The area in Latehar District in Jharkhand was set aside as protected in 1974 under the Indian Forests Act. Before the formation of the reserve, the area was used for cattle grazing and camping; it was acutely prone to forest fire.[2] In 1973, the area was set up as the Palamu Tiger Reserve.
The tiger population is extremely scarce and counting them has become particularly difficult due to Naxalite activities that have increased since 1990. As of 2012, the count, using DNA to prevent over-counting, is one male and five female tigers
Apart from tigers and elephants, leopards, gaurs, sambars and wild dogs live in the reserve. Though the North Koel River runs through the reserve, the animals depend on man-made holes for water, making them easily accessible to humans.
Over 140 species of birds (including peafowl) have been sighted in the reserve.

North Koel River