Context:

Recently, the Central Government granted in-principle approval for Bihar's second tiger reserve in Kaimur district.

More on the News 

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) at its 12th technical committee meeting approved the proposal to develop the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve. 
• After the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district, Bihar is set to get a second tiger reserve in Kaimur district by the end of the year or early 2024.
• However, additional technical approvals from the Centre are still required before the State government can notify the tiger reserve. 

Key Developments in Tiger Conservation in Bihar

• Population Management: The existing Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) has reached its maximum capacity with 54 tigers, exceeding its capacity of 45 tigers. The new reserve will help manage this growing population effectively while maintaining ecological balance.

                The Status of Tigers Report 2022, prepared by the NTCA and the Wildlife Institute of India, highlighted the growth in VTR’s tiger population, which was recorded at                     31 in 2018.

• Territorial Adjustments: The forest department's initial proposal for a 900 square kilometre reserve was revised to 450 square kilometres of prime tiger habitat following NTCA recommendations.
• Historical Background:  The push to establish Kaimur as a tiger reserve began in 2018 when tiger presence was confirmed through their pugmarks and prey remains. Before that, tigers were last spotted in Kaimur in 1995.
• Crucial Habitat: Kaimur's forests, covering an area of 1,134 square kilometres, boast the highest green cover in Bihar at 34%. The area serves as a crucial wildlife corridor connecting neighbouring states enhancing biodiversity conservation.

• KWLS is connected with Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary of UP, which again has links with the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and the Panna landscape in Madhya Pradesh through stepping stone forests of Marihan, Sukrit, Chunar ranges and wildlife sanctuaries of Ranipur (UP), Son Ghariyal and Bagdhara (MP).

Tiger Reserves of India

• Tiger Reserves (TR) are areas that are notified for the protection of the tiger and its prey and are governed by Project Tiger which was launched in 1973.

              The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) merged Project Tiger and Project Elephant to create Project Tiger and Elephant (PTE) in April                  2023. 

• Starting from 9 reserves in 1973, the number of tiger reserves has grown to 55 in 2023, falling in 18 states, covering approximately 2.39% (78,735.5966 sq km) of India's landmass.

The latest three additions are:

• 53rd TR - Ranipur Tiger Reserve (4th in UP)
• 54th TR - Veerangana Durgavati TR (7th TR in Madhya Pradesh)
• 55th TR - Dholpur- Karauli TR (5th TR in Rajasthan)

How are Tiger Reserves notified?

• Tiger Reserves are notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on the advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 

The following steps are involved in the notification:

• Proposal is obtained from the State.
• In-principle approval is communicated from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, soliciting detailed proposals under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• NTCA recommends the proposal to the State after due diligence.
• The State Government notifies the area as a Tiger Reserve.