MADHAV NATIONAL PARK (TIGER RESERVE)
- Throughout history, tigers were widespread across India; however, their population began to decline sharply in the early 20th century due to rampant hunting, poaching, and the large-scale exploitation of forests for timber, particularly during the colonial era.
- Estimates from 1964 suggest that around 40,000 tigers may have existed in India at the beginning of the 20th century.
- By the 1960s, their numbers had plummeted to between 2,000 and 4,000, primarily due to indiscriminate hunting, the widespread issuance of gun licenses after 1947, increased accessibility to forests, extensive deforestation for various purposes, and the rise of commercial enterprises such as “Shikar Companies” and the fur trade.
- Concerned about the alarming decline, naturalists raised the issue, prompting the Indian Board for Wild Life (IBWL), the predecessor of the National Board for Wild Life, to recommend a complete ban on the export of wild cat skins, including those of tigers, during a meeting in New Delhi in July 1969.
- That same year, the 10th Assembly of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), held in Delhi, classified the tiger as an endangered species in its "Red Data Book" and passed a resolution advocating for a ban on tiger hunting.
- As tiger numbers dwindled further, reaching approximately 1,863, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appointed an 11-member Task Force to investigate the issue and develop a strategy for tiger conservation in India.
- In August 1972, the Task Force proposed designating eight tiger habitats across the country under a new initiative, later named Project Tiger.
- Officially launched on April 1, 1973, at Corbett Tiger Reserve, Project Tiger initially included nine reserves: Corbett (formerly in Uttar Pradesh, now in Uttarakhand), Palamau (formerly in Bihar, now in Jharkhand), Simlipal (Odisha), Sundarbans (West Bengal), Manas (Assam), Ranthambore (Rajasthan), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Melghat (Maharashtra), and Bandipur (Karnataka). These reserves were selected to represent the diverse tiger habitats across India.
Since 2006, Project Tiger has been replaced by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which mandates that each tiger reserve be managed according to a site-specific management plan. Project Tiger played a crucial role in establishing a structured approach to the scientific management of protected areas in India. It introduced key concepts such as the designation of core and buffer zones, implementation of protective measures, habitat enhancement, systematic field data collection on changes in flora and fauna, wildlife population estimation, and other essential conservation aspects.
The guidelines also introduced Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs) to ensure:
- Protection and targeted habitat management for sustaining viable populations of tigers, their prey, and co-predators.
- Ecologically sustainable land use within tiger reserves and the surrounding areas, particularly those connecting different protected zones, while considering the livelihood needs of local communities.
Recognizing the challenges posed by small reserves surrounded by human settlements, the NTCA guidelines focus on establishing source populations within reserves while maintaining corridors that connect these habitats to others. Source areas are those where tiger populations are growing, whereas sink areas experience declining numbers and require periodic reintroduction of individuals to maintain a stable population.
The process of designating a tiger reserve begins when the State Government submits a proposal to the Central Government. Upon evaluation, the NTCA reviews and recommends the proposal to the State, which then officially notifies the area as a tiger reserve
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Funding of Tiger reserve
As per Project Tiger guidelines, the Central Government provides 60% of the funding for conservation efforts, while the remaining 40% is covered by the respective State Government. However, for Northeastern and Himalayan states, the Centre funds 90% of the expenses. These conservation efforts include anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, water resource development, and mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, the guidelines emphasize creating inviolate spaces for tigers and relocating villages from critical tiger habitats by offering improved rehabilitation packages. Furthermore, the initiative assists states in resolving the rights of displaced communities, rehabilitating traditional hunting tribes residing in and around tiger reserves, and conducting independent assessments to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of tiger conservation programs |
4. The significance of Madhav National Park important
- Covering an estimated 165.32 sq km, Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh was initially designated as a National Park in 1956 under the MP National Parks Act, 1955. Today, the Madhav National Park and Tiger Reserve has expanded to a core area of 355 sq km, with a buffer zone of 4-6 sq km. The park did not have a resident tiger population until 2023, when a male tiger and two females were relocated. Since then, the population has grown to seven tigers.
- Importantly, the Madhav Tiger Reserve serves as a key corridor connecting to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. It is also linked to Kuno National Park, which currently houses a population of captive cheetahs. Experts suggest that competition for prey species, such as deer, could lead to intricate ecological interactions between these predators.
- Madhya Pradesh is home to several renowned tiger reserves, including Kanha, Panna, and Bandhavgarh, and currently has the highest tiger population in India (785 tigers) due to effective conservation measures. However, the Kuno-Madhav forest division in the northern part of the state has historically received less attention.
- With Kuno gaining prominence as a cheetah reserve, a more integrated management approach is anticipated to oversee both cheetah and tiger populations, enhancing the region’s long-term wildlife conservation efforts.
- Additionally, there are ongoing plans to relocate Asiatic lions from Gir (Gujarat) to Kuno National Park, following Supreme Court approval. However, in March 2023, the government informed the Court that the coexistence of lions and cheetahs in Kuno could lead to territorial conflicts and requested additional time to reassess the relocation.
- If lions are introduced, it could attract greater funding from both national and international conservation bodies, further boosting the park’s wildlife conservation initiatives
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For Prelims: National Tiger Conservation Authority, Dandeli Wildlife Reserve, Western Ghats, Kali River, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Project Tiger, Karnataka Tourism Policy, flora, fauna
For Mains:
1. Discuss the challenges and potential solutions for balancing tourism development with wildlife conservation in protected areas. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (UPSC 2017) (a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna (b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves (c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System (d) Security of National Highways
2. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2014) 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, of 1986.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Which one of the following is the well-publicized wildlife campaign in the world launched in 1973? (BPSC 2023) A. Sunderbans B. Project Project C. Tiger Lion Project D. More than one of the above E. None of the above
4. Which one of the following tiger reserves of India has ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’ as its official mascot? (UPSC CAPF 2017)
A. Nameri tiger reserve
B. Ranthambhore tiger reserve
C. Panna tiger reserve
D. Kanha tiger reserve
5. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?(UPSC CSE 2017)
(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (b) Nallamala Forest (c) Nagarhole National Park (d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
6. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which of the following states? (SSC CHSL2021)
A. Kerala B. Karnataka C. Jharkhand D. Sikkim
7. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? (upsc 2020)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
8. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? (UPSC 2017)
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
9. With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.1 and 2 B. 2 only C.1 and 3 D. 3 only
10. In the field of tourism, which one of the following Indian States is described as 'One State Many Worlds'? (CDS GK 2020)
A. Assam B. West Bengal C. Karnataka D. Rajasthan
Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-D, 5-A, 6-B, 7-C, 8-D, 9-A, 10-C
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