Tiger reserves of Maharashtra

Maharashtra provides legal protection to its tiger population through 6 dedicated Tiger Reserves under the precincts of the National Tiger Conservation Authority ^[1] under the title Project Tiger. These reserves cumulatively cover an estimated area of 9,113 sqkms which is about 3% of the total state area.

Citing the presence of Tigers in 2 wild-life sanctuaries, environmentalist had put forth a proposal to declare Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary and Tipeshwar wild-life sanctuary as Tiger reserves. This would result in creation of a tiger corridor for migration of Tigers between different reserves to encourage genetic dispersion. As of October 2016, this proposal has been rejected.^[2]

History

Tiger reserves came to be created under the former Prime minister Indira Gandhi's flagship program called "Project Tiger". It envisioned to create a safe haven for tigers to flourish and receive legal protection against poachers. Melghat is the among the first 9 tiger reserve to be declared in 1973-74 with Gugamal National Park as its core zone along with adjoining Melghat wild-life sanctuary and deciduous rich forest zones. Subsequently, over the years, 5 additional reserves came to be created. Tadoba National Park formed in 1955 is one of the oldest national parks but it is only in 1993 that its merger with Andhari wildlife sanctuary led to the creation of Tadobo Andhari Tiger Reserve. Bor Tiger Reserve carved out to include Bor Wildlife Sanctuary at its core is the youngest and the smallest of all Tiger Reserves.

Tiger census

As of 2015, among all the Indian states, Maharashtra has the 5th largest tiger population. The tiger population in the state shows a consistent rise from 103 in 2006 to 169 in 2010. The recent census in 2015 shows a rise to 190 which is a 12% increase between 2010-15.^[3]

List of Tiger reserves

Source:^[4]

Gallery

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  A tiger at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

References