On 2^nd December 2024, the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary was officially notified as the 8^th Tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh. It is the 57^th tiger reserve of India. NTCA has also granted in-principal approval for declaring the Madhav National Park as a tiger reserve. In this article, take a look at the tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh.

What is a tiger reserve?

Taking progressive efforts towards tiger conservation, tiger reserves have been established all over India. These reserves are safe habitats built for tigers to thrive. The forest ecosystems are a harbor to India’s rich and varied biodiversity of flora and fauna.

How is it recognized?

The potential areas are identified through wildlife surveys, ecological assessments, and a thorough assessment of the human-wildlife conflict involved.

After a complete assessment, the State forest department accedes a proposal to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that contains the details of proposed area, the core and buffer zones, appeasement measures to be taken for the human-wildlife conflict and the management plan.

The technical committee of the NTCA reviews the entire proposal in accordance to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and other regulations involved. If everything seems appropriate, it grants an in-principal approval.

Then the declaration of the tiger reserve is notified by the State Government. The legal nod comes after the notification gets published in the Official Gazette of India.

Now when you are clear about the tiger reserve and its recognition, let us explore the 8 tiger reserves of the state one by one –

Kanha tiger reserve-

The first tiger reserve was built after the notification in 1973-74. The total area occupied is the largest with 2074 sq.km. Till 2022, the tiger population at Kanha ranged from 100 to 150. The prominent features of the Kanha tiger reserve are:

The active successful conservation of the Barasingha which was near extinct some time ago.

Apart from a considerable number of tigers in the area, Kanha is also home to herbivores chital, sambhar, leopard, jackal, wild cat, and the sloth bear. The villages have been relocated to avoid any conflict with the wildlife and ensure human safety. Staff welfare initiatives and benefit sharing with local communities is carried out.

Panna tiger reserve-

The declaration date to establish the Panna tiger reserve was in the year 1982-83. Located in the Vindhyan ranges of Madhya Pradesh, it covers an area of 1578.55 sq.km. with the Ken river flowing across the reserve for 55km. 79 tigers belong to this block as per 2022 reports. The Savannah grasslands are spread over this vast land of Tropical dry deciduous forests. You can spot tiger, leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena, jackal, wolf, sambhar, chital, four horned antelopes, chinkara, langur, rhesus macaque and many other species of wildlife. The vulture population also lies in a considerable amount here.

Also, the Panna tiger reserve is known for successfully introducing the tigers again, when they become locally extinct in the area in 2009.

Pench tiger reserve-

Next is the Pench tiger reserve notified in 1992-93. It is spread across an area of 1179.63 sq.km. with the tiger population counted to 77 two years back. Located in the south of Satpura hills in Madhya Pradesh, the deciduous forests have a variety of trees ranging from teak, mahua, palash, tendu and ber. Pench is the habitat to the Bengal tiger, sloth bears, jackal, fox, gaur, sambhar, wild boar and more from the wildlife. It derives its name from the Pench river which splits the reserve in two. The reserve connects the tiger landscapes of Satpura and Tadoba Andhari. It has preserved the tiger population through efforts in tiger conservation.

Tiger walks and Safaris are a major attraction for Eco tourism. And yes, this is the place where your childhood favorite – The Jungle book is set.

Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve –

It was established after being notified in year 1993-1994. Bandhavgarh covers an area of 1536.93 sq.km. characterized by hills, valleys and plains located on the banks of Umrar river. There were 135 tigers in Bandhavgarh by 2022. It has the highest densities of tigers and the highest densities of herbivores in India. Sehra Dadra, a meadow which has some unique insectivorous plants is a major attraction. Also, the place is rich in heritage with several archaeological sites here.

Major flora and fauna:

Tropical moist deciduous forests (majorly sal trees)

Vast bamboos throughout the forests

Tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, sloth bear, chausingha, nilgai and many more.

Satpura tiger reserve-

The notification of the Satpura tiger reserve was released in 1999-2000 covering the total area of 2133.33 sq.km. where the tiger habitat accommodates in 1339.26 sq.km. The tiger population is estimated around 149. The tropical dry and moist deciduous forests include teak, mahua, palash, plum, tendu, moyan, etc. Some rare species of bryophytes, pteridophytes and the endemic flora and fauna is found here. There are around 50 rock shelters that have been found in the Satpura ranges which date back to 1500-10000 years. Many conservation efforts have been carried out in the area M-stripes monitoring programme, weed eradication and grassland development.

Major river of the Satpura tiger reserve is Denwa. Tigers, leopards, chital, sambhar, four horned antelope and wild dogs can be spotted.

Sanjay Dubri tiger reserve-

Notified in the year 2008-2009, the Sanjay-Dubri tiger reserve is built in an area of 1674.5 sq.km. Around 35 tiger inhabitants were registered by 2022. It is located in eastern Madhya Pradesh with rivers Gopad, Banas, Mahai, Kodmar, Umrari and Mahan providing an ideal habitat for vegetation and wildlife. It forms part of the Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamau tiger conservation landscape. The plains of Dubri sanctuary and hills of Sanjay National Park has moist deciduous to dry deciduous forests with Sal trees and bamboo in enormous. Apart from the tigers, the reserve is home to elephants, leopards, sloth bears, blue bull, spotted deer and wild pigs too. Two corridors connect it to Bandhavgarh and Guru Ghasidas National Park.

Veerangana Durgavati tiger reserve-

The notification for 7^th tiger reserve was released last year. It covers 1414.006 sq. km. of area. Sal and teak trees dominate the tropical deciduous forests found in the region. It is spread across three districts of Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur. The Durgavati and Nauradevi wildlife sanctuaries are a part of this reserve. Of the total area, the buffer zone is 925 sq.km. The fauna includes tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, chital, sambhar and nilgai. There is no data about the tiger population as the reserve has been formed in 2023, but there is enough scope for a good raise.

The Ratapani tiger reserve-

New to the list, the Ratapani tiger reserve lies in Sehore and Raisen districts of Madhya Pradesh. It also has the migration corridor from the Satpura ranges. At present, there are approximately 90 tigers in the reserve. The human wildlife conflict and habitat degradation have been major concerns. However, with the establishment of the tiger reserve, this issues shall be resolved soon. Conservation efforts have to be undertaken speedily.

After many challenges, the Ratapani tiger reserve’s establishment could be notified. The slow functioning of Bureaucracy, threat of mining in the area have been some of them.   

The 9^th tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh is also currently with in-principal approval. The tiger reserves have played an active role in the conservation of tigers, at the same time increasing the number. The challenges that still exist today need to be overcome with efforts. Madhya Pradesh is proven efficient in this regard. Also, tourism should not be a hindrance in the accustomed habitat of the wild. Governments should focus on this aspect too that human interference should be the least.