Tiger Reserves in India
India is home to a vast diversity of wildlife, and tigers are undoubtedly one of the most iconic animals in the country. The Indian government has recognized the need to protect these majestic creatures and their natural habitat by establishing tiger reserves across the country. We will know about the Importance of Tiger Reserves in India along with the list of All the Tiger Reserves in India.
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What are Tiger Reserves in India?
Tiger reserves in India are designated areas of land that are set aside specifically for the protection and conservation of tigers and their habitats. These reserves provide a sanctuary for tigers to live and thrive, while also promoting tourism and environmental education. Currently, there are 51 tiger reserves in India, covering a total area of 71,027 sq. km.
First Tiger Reserve in India
The first tiger reserve in India was established in 1973, and it was named Project Tiger. The project was launched with the aim of protecting and conserving tigers in their natural habitats and promoting the sustainable use of forest resources. The success of Project Tiger led to the establishment of more tiger reserves across the country.
Project Tiger: India’s tiger population was 3,167 in 2022
Project Tiger: Everything You Need to Know
Diversity of Tiger Reserves in India
- Some of the most well-known tiger reserves in India include Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Pench Tiger Reserve, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, and Sariska Tiger Reserve.
- Each of these reserves is unique in its own way, with different landscapes, flora, and fauna.
- Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is famous for its high tiger density.
- Kanha National Park, also in Madhya Pradesh, is known for its sprawling grasslands and is home to the rare hard-ground Barasingha deer.
- Pench Tiger Reserve, located in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, is the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.”
- Satpura Tiger Reserve, in Madhya Pradesh, is known for its rugged terrain and diverse wildlife.
- Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, in Maharashtra, is one of the few tiger reserves in India that is open for night safaris.
- Sariska Tiger Reserve, in Rajasthan, is located in the Aravalli hills and is home to a number of other endangered species, including the Indian leopard and the striped hyena.
Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India
Here are the top 10 Tiger Reserves in India:
1. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, this reserve covers an area of 1,161 square kilometers. It is known for its high density of tigers and is considered to be one of the best places in India to spot these majestic animals.
2. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Pench Tiger Reserve
Located on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, this reserve covers an area of 758 square kilometers. It is named after the Pench River, which flows through the reserve, and is home to a large number of tigers, leopards, and other wildlife.
3. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Satpura Tiger Reserve
Located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, this reserve covers an area of 1,427 square kilometers. It is known for its rugged terrain and is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and Indian bison.
4. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Kanha Tiger Reserve
Located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, this reserve covers an area of 1,945 square kilometers. It is known for its extensive grasslands and is home to a large population of tigers, as well as other wildlife such as deer, leopards, and wild dogs.
5. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, this reserve covers an area of 1,727 square kilometers. It is known for its high density of tigers and is also home to other wildlife such as leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas.
6. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
Located in the Sunderbans delta of West Bengal, this reserve covers an area of 2,585 square kilometers. It is the largest delta in the world and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, as well as other wildlife such as saltwater crocodiles and dolphins.
7. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Sariska Tiger Reserve
Located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, this reserve covers an area of 881 square kilometers. It is known for its rugged terrain and is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and Indian bison.
8. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Periyar Tiger Reserve
Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, this reserve covers an area of 925 square kilometers. It is known for its beautiful landscape and is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and leopards.
9. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, this reserve covers an area of 874 square kilometers. It is known for its extensive forests and is home to a large number of tigers, elephants, and other wildlife.
10. Top 10 Tiger Reserves in India: Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Gondia district of Maharashtra, this sanctuary covers an area of 152 square kilometers. It is known for its high density of tigers and is also home to other wildlife such as leopards and wild dogs.
List of all Tiger reserves in India
Here is a list of all 51 Tiger reserves in India:
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
- Kanha Tiger Reserve
- Pench Tiger Reserve
- Satpura Tiger Reserve
- Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve
- Panna Tiger Reserve
- Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve
- Indravati Tiger Reserve
- Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
- Melghat Tiger Reserve
- Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
- Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary & Navegaon National Park Tiger Reserve
- Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
- Sariska-Alwar Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve
- Mukundra Hills (Darrah) Tiger Reserve
- Simlipal Tiger Reserve
- Palamau Tiger Reserve
- Valmiki Tiger Reserve
- Bhadra Tiger Reserve
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve
- Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) Tiger Reserve
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
- Anamalai Tiger Reserve
- Periyar Tiger Reserve
- Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
- Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve
- Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
- Bhagwan Mahaveer (Molem) Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park Tiger Reserve
- Nameri Tiger Reserve
- Dampa Tiger Reserve
- Palamau Tiger Reserve
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Orang Tiger Reserve
- Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
- Manas Tiger Reserve
- Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
- Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park and Tiger Reserve
- Balphakram National Park and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve
- Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park Tiger Reserve
- Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary and Pakke Tiger Reserve
- Kudremukh National Park and Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve
- Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
- Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve
- Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve
- Ratapani Tiger Reserve
- Pench Mowgli Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve
- Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve
- Rajaji Tiger Reserve
- Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Importance of Tiger Reserves in India
- Tiger reserves are designated areas that are set aside for the protection and conservation of tigers and their habitat.
- These reserves are managed by the government and are designated as protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
- India has 50 tiger reserves spread across 18 states, covering a total area of over 72,000 square kilometers.
- Each of these tiger reserves is unique and offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature up close.
- In addition to tigers, these reserves are also home to a wide variety of other animals, including leopards, deer, wild boars, sloth bears, and Indian bison.
- Many of these reserves also offer opportunities for birdwatching, with hundreds of species of birds found within their boundaries.
- Despite the efforts made by the government and conservationists to protect tigers and their habitat, tigers still face numerous threats.
- Poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict are among the major challenges that need to be addressed.
- Tiger reserves play an important role in mitigating these threats by providing a safe haven for tigers and their prey, as well as by raising awareness about the importance of conservation.
Tiger reserves in India are a testament to the country’s commitment to conservation and its respect for nature. These reserves not only protect tigers but also other species and the habitats they depend on. Visiting these reserves is an opportunity to witness nature’s beauty firsthand and to learn about the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Also Read: World Wildlife Day 2023 celebrates on 3rd March