Ratapani: 8th Tiger Reserve Of Madhya Pradesh

03-12-2024

On December 2, 2024, the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was officially declared a 8^th tiger reserve of state (57^th tiger reserve of India).
This decision came after receiving in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Key Features of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve

Location and Area:
1. The Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, nestled in the Vindhya Hills.
2. The reserve covers a total area of 1,271.4 square kilometers, which includes:
  - Core area: 763.8 square kilometers.
  - Buffer area: 507.6 square kilometers.
Ecological Significance:
1. The sanctuary is home to teak forests and a variety of wildlife, making it an important conservation area.
2. The reserve also includes the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as several historical and religious sites.
3. Its proximity to Bhopal (less than 50 km) makes it an accessible destination for wildlife enthusiasts and tourists.

Benefits of Declaring Ratapani a Tiger Reserve

Economic Opportunities for Local Communities:
1. Ecotourism is expected to grow significantly, bringing employment and improving the livelihoods of local communities.
2. The creation of the tiger reserve is likely to increase local businesses, particularly in the areas of tourism and wildlife-related services.
Conservation and Management:
1. With the new tiger reserve status, Madhya Pradesh will receive funding from the NTCA, which will help with better management and conservation of wildlife in the area.
2. The funds will be used for wildlife protection and maintaining the natural habitat of the tigers and other species in the reserve.
Support for Local Inhabitants:
1. The government will introduce eco-development programs to support the local population, ensuring that their living standards improve alongside conservation efforts.
2. Local villages within the reserve will benefit from development projects aimed at improving infrastructure and providing alternative sources of income.
Protection of Local Rights:
1. The buffer zone designation means that nine revenue villages (covering 26.947 square kilometers) will be included in the reserve's buffer area.
2. However, the rights of these local villagers will remain unaffected.
3. The villagers will be allowed to continue with their usual activities, but there will be increased support for them through eco-friendly initiatives.

Legal and Administrative Aspects

The notification declaring Ratapani a tiger reserve was issued under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which recognizes the core area as a critical tiger habitat.
The official declaration ensures the protection of the tiger population in the region and supports ongoing efforts to increase the tiger population in the state.

Madhya Pradesh’s Growing Network of Tiger Reserves

Ratapani becomes the eighth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, which already has a strong focus on tiger conservation.
In addition, Madhav National Park is also expected to be declared a tiger reserve soon.
The Government of India is expected to issue a notification for Madhav within 15 days, marking another step forward in tiger conservation in the state.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve is an important step for wildlife conservation in Madhya Pradesh and will bring economic and social benefits to the local communities. The reserve, with its rich biodiversity and historical importance, is set to become a key destination for ecotourism and will receive much-needed funding for conservation efforts. With ongoing support for local inhabitants and the protection of tiger habitats, this move promises a brighter future for both the people and wildlife of the region.

Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla: 56th Tiger Reserve of India

In November 2024, the central government has notified Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh as the 56th Tiger Reserve in the country and the third largest tiger reserve in India.
With this Chhattisgarh has four tiger reserves, the other three are Achanakmar, Udanti Sitanadi, and Indravati.
The constituent units of the Tiger Reserve, Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, are spread over 1,44,000 hectares (1,440 sq km) and 60,850 hectares (608.5 sq km) respectively.
It is spread across four districts, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB), Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur in the northern tribal Sarguja region of Chhattisgarh.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla falls between two other important tiger reserves located in Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Palamau, Jharkhand. It is adjacent to Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve, also in MP.
Guru Ghasidas National Park was the last known habitat of the Asiatic cheetah in the country. There are five to six tigers at the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve as of now.
Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the country’s largest tiger reserve, covering 3,296.31 sq km. Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam is the second largest with an area of 2,837.1 sq km. Both have 58 tigers.