Chattisgarh’s new tiger reserve, at heart of animal’s contagious home

Context: Earlier this month, the Chhatisgarh government
notified the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla in the state as India’s 56^th
tiger reserve and will be the fourth tiger reserve in the state. The reserve is
expected to help Chhattisgarh improve its tiger population, which has been dwindling
in recent years. With an area of 2829 square kilometres, the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor
Pingla tiger reserve is the third largest in India. Currently, there are 30
tigers, including three sub-adults and two cubs, in the state. The state’s tiger
population fell from 46 in 2014 to 17 in 2022, the last official tiger status
report by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Key points

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Overview: Creation of the tiger reserve will lead to the
development of eco-tourism and generate employment opportunities for villagers
living in its core and buffer areas. Currently, the state has three tiger
reserves - Indravati (in Bijapur district), Udanti-Sitanadi (Gariaband) and
Achanakmar (Mungeli).

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Guru
Ghasidas National Park: About -
Named after the Satnami reformist, Guru Ghasidas, is the result of the carving
of Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh in the year of 2000. It is in the Koriya
district of Chhattisgarh. The park has undulating topography, and it falls
under the Tropical climate zone.

Biodiversity - Flora: The vegetation consists mainly of mixed deciduous forest with
teak, sal and bamboo trees. Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara,
Jackal, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope etc.

·      
Tamor
Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary: About
- It is in the Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh bordering Uttar Pradesh.
It is named after Tamor hill and Pingla Nalla. Tamor hill and Pingla Nalla are
the old and prominent features of the sanctuary area.

Biodiversity - Flora: Mixed deciduous forests dominate the sanctuary.
Sal and bamboo forests are seen all through. Fauna: Tigers, Elephants,
leopards, bears, sambar deer, blue bulls, chital, bison and many such animals
are found here.