New Delhi: India has several national parks which provide a safe sanctuary to wild animals from the threats of habitat encroachment, poaching, hunting and clashes with humans. The national parks serve as a testament to the immense biodiversity of India as the country’s diverse geography allows a dynamic flora and fauna to thrive. There are many tiger reserves in India which have been established to protect the Big Cat from declining population. In this article, we will take a look at the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh which is a recent addition to the list of tiger reserves in India.
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve: A sanctuary for the Big Cats
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla is the fourth tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh after Achanakmar, Indravati, and Udanti Sitanadi. The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is the 56th Tiger Reserve of the country. The reserve is located across the districts of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB), Balrampur and Surajpur. The total area of the tiger reserve is 2829.38 sq km and it includes a core tiger habitat which covers an area of 2049.2 sq km, comprising the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary and the Guru Ghasidas National Park. The reserve has a buffer zone of 780.15 sq km.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is the third largest tiger reserve in India after Assam’s Manas Tiger Reserve and Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. It was announced in November 2024 that the place will become a tiger reserve. Keeping in line with the National Wildlife Plan of India, this tiger reserve is beside Madhya Pradesh’s Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve and the overall landscape covers an area of 4,500 sq km. Also, the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is linked with the Palamau Tiger Reserve and the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve: The flora and fauna
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located in the Chota Nagpur plateau and also in the Baghelkhand plateau. Due to its geographic location, the reserves has dense forests, varied terrains, rivers and streams which has created a conducive environment for a rich diversity of fauna and led to the formation of critical habitats for the tiger.
The Zoological Survey of India has found a total of 753 species which includes 388 vertebrates and 365 invertebrates in the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve. The place has 230 species of birds and 55 species of mammals with many of being threatened species. The forest is mainly comprised of sal, saja, dhavda, and kusum trees.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, India’s 56th, is a crucial addition to the country’s conservation efforts. Located in Chhattisgarh, this vast reserve boasts diverse flora and fauna, including 753 species, and plays a vital role in connecting other major tiger reserves. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
