Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve: India’s 56th Tiger Reserve

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, recently announced the notification of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh as the 56th Tiger Reserve in India. This monumental step in wildlife conservation marks a significant milestone for the country’s efforts to preserve its tiger population and biodiversity.

Overview of the Tiger Reserve

Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located in Chhattisgarh, covering a sprawling area of 2,829.38 sq. km, making it the third-largest tiger reserve in India after:

1. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh.
2. Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.

The reserve encompasses two key wildlife habitats:

• Guru Ghasidas National Park
• Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary

It comprises a core/critical tiger habitat of 2,049.2 sq. km and a buffer zone of 780.15 sq. km. This expansive area spans across Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh. The tiger reserve is part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and partially the Baghelkhand Plateau, known for their diverse terrains and rich biodiversity.

Significance of the Notification

The notification of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve aligns with the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) recommendation under Project Tiger. The NTCA gave its final approval for the notification in October 2021. This addition brings the total number of tiger reserves in Chhattisgarh to four, enhancing the state’s contribution to tiger conservation.

Ecological Importance

The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is crucial for maintaining the landscape approach to conservation, as outlined in India’s National Wildlife Plan. The reserve is:

• Contiguous with the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, forming a landscape complex of nearly 4,500 sq. km.
• Connected to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (west) in Madhya Pradesh and the Palamau Tiger Reserve (east) in Jharkhand.

This connectivity facilitates the movement of tigers and other wildlife across states, ensuring genetic diversity and sustainable populations.

Biodiversity at the Tiger Reserve

The reserve boasts a rich faunal diversity with 753 documented species, including:

• 365 invertebrate species (primarily from the class Insecta).
• 388 vertebrate species, including:
  • 230 species of birds
  • 55 species of mammals, many of which are threatened species.

The presence of dense forests, rivers, and streams creates favorable habitats for tigers and other wildlife. These features make the reserve a critical ecological hotspot in India.

Key Features of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla

1. Geographical Terrain:
   Nestled in the Chota Nagpur Plateau, the area is known for its varied terrains and rich vegetation, providing an ideal habitat for tigers and other species.
2. Conservation Benefits:
   With technical and financial support from the NTCA under Project Tiger, the reserve aims to strengthen the conservation of tigers and other species.
3. Cultural and Ecological Significance:
   The reserve’s location within Chhattisgarh underscores the state’s commitment to balancing biodiversity conservation with sustainable development.

Importance of the Reserve for India’s Tiger Conservation

India, home to over 70% of the world’s tiger population, has made significant strides in tiger conservation. The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve adds to the country’s efforts in achieving the goals of Project Tiger, ensuring the protection of these apex predators and their habitats.

By enhancing the tiger population in central India, the reserve plays a crucial role in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, preserving ecosystems, and boosting ecotourism in the region.

Here is the summary of the news in table form:

Aspect	Details
Tiger Reserve Name	Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
State	Chhattisgarh
Notification	Declared as the 56th Tiger Reserve in India by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with final approval from NTCA in October 2021.
Area	Total: 2,829.38 sq. km – Core Area: 2,049.2 sq. km – Buffer Area: 780.15 sq. km
Components	– Guru Ghasidas National Park – Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary
Geography	– Located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau and partly in the Baghelkhand Plateau. – Spread across Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, Balrampur districts.
Connectivity	– Contiguous with Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh). – Connected to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) and Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand).
Significance	– Enhances tiger conservation efforts under Project Tiger. – Strengthens the landscape approach to conservation with a complex of ~4,500 sq. km.
Biodiversity	– Total species documented: 753 – Invertebrates: 365 species (mostly insects) – Vertebrates: 388 species (including 230 birds, 55 mammals).
Rank in Size	3rd largest Tiger Reserve in India after: – Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh). – Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam).
Conservation Impact	– Part of India’s National Wildlife Plan. – Aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts and promote ecotourism.
Chhattisgarh’s Tiger Reserves	Chhattisgarh now has 4 Tiger Reserves, boosting its contribution to tiger conservation.