Context

• Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given the green signal to Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary as 52nd Tiger Reserve of India.

About Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is the fourth tiger reserve of Rajasthan after Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra tiger reserves.
• It is like a buffer for the Ranthambore National Park.

  

• It is located almost 45 kilometers on Bundi-Nainwa Road and covers an area of 252 square kilometers.
• It is home to wild predators like hyena, tigers, panthers, antelopes and wild boars.
• It was notified as a sanctuary in 1982.
• It comprises of hilly dry deciduous forests on Vindhyan formations.
• It includes floral diversities like Mango, Dhok, Khair and Salar.
• The development of the Ramgarh Vishdhari area allows them to connect the entire belt from Ranthambore to Ramgarh in Bundi and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota.

Back to Basics

• Rajasthan has three tiger reserves with over 90 big cats at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) in Alwar, and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Kota.
• To strengthen the prey base, the state had already approved shifting of chital (spotted deer) from Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Karauli) to MHTR, Keoladeo National Park, and Ramgarh Vishdhari.

How are tiger reserves notified?

• Tiger Reserves are notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on advise of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

The following steps are involved in the notification:

1. Proposal is obtained from the State.
2. In-principle approval is communicated from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, soliciting detailed proposals under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
3. National Tiger Conservation Authority recommends the proposal to the State after due diligence.
4. The State Government notifies the area as a Tiger Reserve.

Can tiger reserves be altered and de-notified?

These processes are governed by Section 38W of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 whose provisions are as follows:

1. 38 W (1): “No alteration in the boundaries of a tiger reserve shall be made except on a recommendation of the Tiger Conservation Authority and the approval of the National Board for Wild Life”.
2. 38 W (2): “No State Government shall de-notify a tiger reserve, except in public interest with the approval of the Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wild Life”.

Source: NDTV

Tiger Reserves in India: Click here