Madhav National Park becomes India’s 58th Tiger Reserve

Sub : History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

The Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been designated as India’s 58th tiger reserve, marking it as the ninth tiger reserve in the state.

About Madhav National Park:

Madhav National Park is located in Shivpuri district, in the Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, India. It lies on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands of India and forms part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills.
Gained the status of a National Park in 1958.
The park features Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forests and Dry Thorn Forests.
The park is home to antelopes like Nilgai, Chinkara, and Chowsinga, deer species such as Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer, and other animals including Leopard, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Pig, Porcupine, and Python.
The park contains Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes, crucial for aquatic biodiversity.

Tiger Population and Reintroduction efforts:

Currently, the park has a population of five tigers, including two cubs born recently.
As part of the state’s tiger reintroduction project, three tigers (including two females) were introduced to the park in 2023.
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, indicated that two more tigers might be released into the reserve soon, further strengthening the reserve’s tiger population.

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.

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.