With Ratapani in MP declared India’s latest tiger reserve, all about the protected areas

Sub: Env

Sec: Protected Area in news

Context:

India recently expanded its network of tiger reserves with the addition of two new reserves: Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh (57th tiger reserve) and Madhav National Park (soon to be 58th), following approvals from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

What is a tiger reserve:

A tiger reserve in India is a designated area established under the Project Tiger initiative of 1973 to ensure the conservation of tigers and their habitats.
These reserves are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, restoring ecological balance and protecting the endangered tiger species.

A tiger reserve consists of a core area and a buffer zone:

Core Area: Legally declared as a National Park or Sanctuary.
Buffer Zone: A mix of forest and non-forest areas, allowing some human activity but still prioritizing conservation. Buffer zones act as transition areas for wildlife.

Current status of Tiger Reserves:

Currently, there are 57 tiger reserves in India, spread across around 82,000 sq kilometres and accounting for over 2.3 per cent of India’s geographical area, as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The NTCA conducts the All India Tiger Estimation to track the number of tigers every four years.
The 5th All India Tiger Estimation Report (2022) recorded 3,167 tigers in India, which accounts for more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population.

Evolution of Tiger Reserves in India:

In the mid-20th century, tigers in India faced rapid decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and other human activities.
In 1969, India banned the export of wild cat skins, including tiger pelts.
In 1973, the Indian government, under the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL), launched Project Tiger to conserve the tiger population.

The initial phase included nine tiger reserves: Corbett (Uttarakhand), Palamau (Jharkhand), Similipal (Orissa), Sundarbans (West Bengal), Manas (Assam), Ranthambhore (Rajasthan), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Melghat (Maharashtra) and Bandipur (Karnataka).

Process of declaring a Tiger Reserve:

Identification: A suitable area is identified based on the presence of a viable tiger population and suitable habitat.
Ecological Assessments: Detailed studies on prey base, vegetation, and ecosystem suitability are conducted.
Proposal Submission: The state government prepares a comprehensive proposal with maps and management plans, which is submitted to the NTCA and then to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for approval.

Notification:

Following the submission of proposal, the state government issues a preliminary notification under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, declaring the identified area as a tiger reserve.
After addressing any objections or modifications, the state issues a final notification under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, formalising the reserve.
Once declared, the area receives central funding and technical support for conservation activities under Project Tiger.

Benefits of Tiger Reserves:

Tigers, being apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the food chain and regulating prey populations.
Protecting tigers ensures the preservation of entire ecosystems, helping conserve biodiversity.