Tiger Reserves in news

• The Telangana State Board for Wildlife has approved a proposal by the Forest Department to declare the corridor area between Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Kawal Tiger Reserve as a conservation reserve.
• The proposals will be sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
• Once the process is completed, the 1,492-square kilometre area in Kagaznagar and Asifabad divisions will be a conservation reserve, with increased protection and conservation measures.

ABOUT KAWAL TIGER RESERVE

• Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in North Eastern part of Telangana (Old Adilabad district) having Godavari river at one side and Maharashtra border on other side.
• Kawal wildlife sanctuary was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2012.
• It is a part of Deccan peninsula-central highlands and is nestled in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges.
• Vegetation is dry-deciduous predominantly teak and bamboo, making it an ideal habitat for Tiger, supporting adequate prey populations.
• Fauna includes Nilgai, Chinkara, Black buck, Sambar, Spotted deer, Tiger, Leopard

ABOUT TADOBA ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE

• Notably Maharashtra’s oldest and largest National Park, the “Tadoba National Park”, also known as the “Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve” is one of India’s project tiger reserves existing in India.
• It lies in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state.
• Total area of the tiger reserve is 1,727 Sq.km
  • It includes the Tadoba National Park, created in the year 1955.
  • The Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in the year 1986 and was amalgamated with the park in 1995 to establish the present Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve.
• The word ‘Tadoba’ is derived from the name of God “Tadoba” or “Taru,” which is praised by local tribal people of this region and “Andhari” is derived from the name of Andhari river that flows in this area.
• Flora includes Teak, Ain, Bija, Dhauda, Hald, Salai, Semal, Tendu, Beheda, Hirda, Karaya gum, Mahua Madhuca, Arjun, Bamboo, Bheria etc.
• Fauna includes Tigers, Indian leopards, Sloth bears, Gaur, Nilgai, Dhole, Striped Hyena, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cats, Sambar, Spotted Deer etc.