Bihar's Second Tiger Reserve Approved in Kaimur District
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in the news? | The central government has granted in-principle approval for Bihar's second tiger reserve in Kaimur district. |
| Approval | - The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) granted in-principle approval for Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) to become a tiger reserve. - Additional technical approvals are required for formal declaration. |
| Current Situation | - Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran is currently the only tiger reserve in Bihar, housing 54 tigers, exceeding its carrying capacity of 45. |
| Objectives of Kaimur Tiger Reserve | - Manage the growing tiger population in Bihar. - Ensure sustainable and eco-friendly environment in both reserves. |
| Significance | - Kaimur Tiger Reserve is a significant step in wildlife conservation. - Kaimur forests cover 1,134 square kilometers with 34% green cover, the highest in Bihar. - Connects to wildlife corridors in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. |
| Relocation Plans | - Tigers from VTR will be relocated to Kaimur to manage overpopulation. - Aims to maintain ecological balance and promote genetic diversity. |
| Development Plans for Kaimur Tiger Reserve | - Includes creating a buffer zone around Shergarh Fort and accommodating 58 nearby villages. - Core zone adjusted to 450 square kilometers of prime tiger habitat. |
| Historical Context | - Push for KWLS as a tiger reserve began in 2018 after tiger sightings. - Last recorded tiger sighting in Kaimur prior to 2018 was in 1995. |
| Expert Recommendations | - Site evaluation by experts, including former Wildlife Institute of India Director AJT Johnsingh, recommended KWLS as a tiger reserve. |
| About Tiger Reserves | - Tiger Reserves are protected areas designated for the conservation of tigers. - A Tiger Reserve may also be a national park or wildlife sanctuary. - Notified under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. |
| About NTCA | - NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. - Formed to strengthen tiger conservation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. |