Lesser Known Tiger Reserves Part II

As discussed in the earlier post the problems that arise in tiger conservation are many. But one insurmountable problem that interferes with the management practices and is the cause of severe man-animal conflict is the excess population around the reserves.   

Since the law prohibits human settlements within the core area of the reserve the impetus is on relocating them outside. Though in spite of a generous compensation package it is difficult to relocate people away from the critical tiger habitats.     

As the tiger population grows more and more space will be required this will include the forest in the buffer. Unfortunately, the problem of settlements is further compounded in the buffer due to the absence of a law to relocate settlements further. Not only the absence of law there is an absolute lack of political will if contingency arises.  

Coming back to the article read below briefs on lesser-known tiger reserves in India. The list also includes reserves that are least visited.  

Melghat Tiger Reserve lies in the State of Maharashtra in the Satpura Ranges. With an area of over two thousand sq km, Melghat is home to a large population of bison and Central Indian mammals. Gugamal National Park with an area of 360 sq. km constitutes the core.   

Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is a 760 sq km big cat heaven in India. It is home to Indian elephants besides tigers and other mammals. Bagdogra lies at a distance of 195 km.    

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve bordering Nepal is in Uttar Pradesh. The preserve is home to a good number of tigers besides other mammals. The swamp deer in the Northern race is found here. The rhino relocation has been successful for many years. Dudhwa lies in the Lakhimpur Kheri district within a short distance from Palia City.  

Ratapani Tiger Reserve lies in close proximity to Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Home to tigers, wolves and other mammals the reserve contains the finest stands of teak. Prehistoric Bhimbetika Caves lie within.  Poaching and illicit felling are major causes of concern.      

Sunbheda Tiger Reserve is situated in Odisha in Nuapada District. The 500 sq km preserve is home to Central Indian mammals like tigers, leopards, and sloth bears.  

Bhadra Tiger Reserve is situated in Karnataka State near Chikkamagaluru District. It is home to tiger, lion-tailed macaque, slender loris, bonnet macaque, and wild elephants. Approximately 600 sq km in the area the reserve is 163 km from Mangalore.    

More tiger reserves have been created and hopefully more will be notified in near future. This is essential if we wish to save the tiger from extinction as well as give new lease of life to myriads of life forms in India. 

At present the non violate area in India is very small, barely one percent of the total land mass. Better management of our land will result in the preservation of niche habitats for other life forms and increase the protected area.  

Find List of Tiger Reserves   

Lesser Known Tiger Reserves of India

This entry is on the basis that there are many tiger reserves in India but few are in the active circuit as far as tourism is concerned. Tourism is present in these reserves but they are less popular amidst the International and National circuits.   

The top five reserves in India are Internationally famous and offer good tiger sightings. These are Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Tadoba, and Ranthambore. In recent times Corbett has become the hub of tiger tourism but it is favored more by overseas tourists for the birding potential it holds. Due to altitude migration, the park is home to more than five hundred species. 

Among the second rung of the list (comparative) are the reserves that are more popular amongst local tourists.  The reason that they are less popular overseas is many. The primary reason for a tiger reserve to get fanciful numbers of tourists is the sightings of course. Being a keystone species wildlife lovers keep tiger sightings as the first priority in their wishlist of reserves. In some of these reserves, tiger sightings may be poor and the tourism infrastructure may not be up to the required standards, Another reason may be their remoteness with connectivity being a major issue. In some of the reserves problems regarding law and order in terms of extremists may be a major hindrance. In many destinations, human settlements create man-animal conflict and are a hindrance to tiger conservation.  

The reserves may also contain smaller populations of big cats. But this can be seen in a brighter light as they are destinations that can harbor more tigers in time to come with proper conservation practices. 

Amrabad Tiger Reserve in the newly carved Telangana State has the potential to attain popularity. It is one of the biggest reserves with an area of 2880 sq. km. The reserve holds twenty-three tigers approximately and they are more often seen on camera traps rather than on safaris.   

Nagarjuna Srisailem Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh is the largest reserve in India with an area of  3568 sq. km. The core area is 1200 sq. km. The National Park faces the threat of armed extremists.  

Tiger - Dinesh Makhija

Indrawati Tiger Reserve in the State of Chhattisgarh is virtually out of bounds for tourists due to armed extremist problems. The 2799 sq. km reserve holds the last remaining population of wild buffalo the fate of which is difficult to gauge in present times. Some efforts are being made to encourage tourism here. Jagdalpur at a distance of 168 km is the nearest railhead.

Kanger Valley National Park in the State of Chhattisgarh is 200 sq. km in area. The park contains an impressive list of forty-nine Central Indian mammals including the tiger and the leopard. Jagadalpur rail head at a distance of thirty-three km offers good accommodation. Natural cave formations are an interesting feature of this destination.    

Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The park has an area of 1674 sq. km and is home to big cats as well as Central Indian Mammals. The Tiger population here is very small.    

Guru Ghasidas National Park in Korea District was carved out of Sanjay Dubri TR whence the State of Chattisgarh came into being. The tiger population here is very small in an area of  2898 sq. km. 

There will be more on  Lesser Known Tiger Reserves of India in my next blog entry.