Ratapani Declared India’s 57th Tiger Reserve

India has expanded its tiger conservation footprint with the declaration of Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as its 57th tiger reserve.  The creation of these reserves highlights India’s commitment to protecting its tiger population, which constitutes over 70% of the global wild tiger population.

Understanding Tiger Reserves

Tiger reserves are specially designated areas established under the Project Tiger initiative of 1973 to conserve tigers and their habitats. Each reserve comprises:

• Core Areas: Legally designated as national parks or sanctuaries, where human activity is minimal.
• Buffer Zones: A mix of forest and non-forest land maintained as a transition zone for both wildlife and human activities.

As of now, India’s 57 tiger reserves cover 82,000 sq. km, about 2.3% of its geographical area. These areas serve as crucial habitats for biodiversity conservation.

How Are Tiger Reserves Declared?

State-Level Identification: Areas with viable tiger populations and suitable habitats are selected based on ecological assessments.

Proposal Submission: The state submits a detailed proposal to the NTCA, which reviews and forwards it to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Legal Notification: After public objections are addressed, the state issues a final notification under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, formally declaring the reserve.

Management Plans: Detailed strategies focusing on habitat improvement, anti-poaching measures, and community involvement are developed, with central funding and support provided under Project Tiger.

The Importance of Tiger Reserves

Ecological Benefits: As apex predators, tigers regulate ecosystems, ensuring forest health and biodiversity.

Umbrella Effect: Protecting tigers benefits co-existing species and ecosystems.

Climate Benefits: A 2023 study in Nature highlighted that tiger reserves prevented the loss of 5,800 hectares of forest between 2007 and 2020, mitigating 1 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions.

Historical Context and Current Relevance

The tiger population in India faced sharp declines due to hunting and habitat loss post-independence. In 1973, Project Tiger began with nine reserves, including Corbett (Uttarakhand) and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh). Today, initiatives like these have helped India host 3,167 wild tigers as per the 2022 NTCA estimation. The addition of Ratapani reflects the ongoing commitment to conservation, ensuring ecological balance and combating climate change impacts.

Summary of the news

Key Points	Details
Why in News?	Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary was declared India’s 57th tiger reserve.
State	Madhya Pradesh
Tiger Reserve Declaration	Declared under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Total Tiger Reserves	58 tiger reserves across India spanning approximately 82,000 sq. km, covering 2.3% of the country’s geographical area.
Project Tiger	Launched on April 1, 1973, at Corbett Tiger Reserve to conserve tigers and their habitats.
Initial Tiger Reserves	Nine reserves, including Corbett (Uttarakhand), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Ranthambhore (Rajasthan), and Sundarbans (West Bengal).
India’s Tiger Population	As per NTCA’s 2022 report, India has 3,167 tigers, which is 70% of the global wild tiger population.
Ratapani Sanctuary	Located in Madhya Pradesh, now part of the Project Tiger initiative.
Notification Process	Initiated by the state, with final notification issued under Section 38V, ensuring legal protection and central funding for conservation activities.
NTCA Role	Monitors tiger populations through the All India Tiger Estimation, conducted every four years.
Environmental Impact	Between 2007-2020, tiger reserves prevented the loss of 5,800 hectares of forest, averting 1 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions.