Telangana Notifies Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve to Boost Tiger Corridor

In a major step towards wildlife conservation and habitat connectivity, the Government of Telangana has officially notified the Kawal-Tadoba tiger corridor as the Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve. Spanning nearly 1,493 sq. km, this newly declared reserve strengthens efforts to protect India’s big cat population and other critical biodiversity in the central Indian landscape.

Why in News?

On May 30, 2025, the Telangana government issued orders under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, designating a vital tiger corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve (Telangana) and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) as the Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve.

Key Objectives and Purpose

• Enhance tiger connectivity between reserves in Telangana, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
• Legally protect a vital wildlife corridor spanning over 1,492.88 sq. km.
• Safeguard biodiversity and promote interstate animal movement.
• Support long-term breeding and habitat preservation.

Location and Coverage

• Situated in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana.
• Spans Asifabad and Kagaznagar divisions.
• Covers 10 mandals and 78 reserve forest blocks including:
• Garlapet, Ada, Manikgarh East & West, Bejjur, Kadamba, etc.

Ecological Significance

• Hosts resident and transient tigers, with over 45 unique individuals identified over the last decade.
• Home to other carnivores: leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, honey badgers, jungle cats.
• Rich prey base: gaur, chital, sambar, nilgai, four-horned antelope, and more.
• Unique avian species: Malabar Pied Hornbills, Long Billed Vultures (only nesting site).

Legal Framework

• Declared under Section 36(A) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Enables creation of conservation reserves in government-owned land linking protected areas.

Governance and Management

A conservation reserve management committee has been formed, including,

• District Forest Officer (Convenor)
• Local sarpanches
• NGOs (Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society, WWF, Wildlife Conservation Trust)
• District-level agriculture, veterinary and forest officials