Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary Declared as the 8th Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh

Context:

• The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary has been officially declared as the 8th Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
• The state now has eight tiger reserves, with Kanha, Satpura, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Sanjay Dubri, Panna, and Veerangana Durgavati being the other reserves.

About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: Situated in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
• Major Sites:
• Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a World Heritage Site.
• Other significant sites include Ginnourgarh Fort, POW camp, Keri Mahadeo, and Jholiyapur Dam.
• Flora and Fauna:
• The sanctuary contains dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests, with 55% of the area covered by teak trees.
• Major Wildlife:
• Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Hyenas, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, among others.

Process for Declaring a Tiger Reserve in India:

1. Proposal Submission: The state government submits a proposal for the declaration of a tiger reserve.
2. In-principle Approval: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provides in-principle approval and solicits detailed proposals.
3. Due Diligence: The NTCA conducts thorough evaluations.
4. Final Notification: After recommendations from the NTCA, the state government notifies the area as a Tiger Reserve.

Indian Government's Efforts to Protect Tigers:

1. Project Tiger:

• An ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to assist tiger states in conservation efforts.

1. Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS):

• As of December 2023, 23 tiger reserves in India have received CA|TS accreditation, which ensures high standards of tiger conservation.

1. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):

• India has launched the IBCA, aimed at securing the future of big cats and the landscapes they inhabit.

Significance:

• The declaration of Ratapani as a Tiger Reserve reflects India’s commitment to protecting its tiger population and the biodiversity of its wildlife sanctuaries.
• Madhya Pradesh continues to be a major hub for tiger conservation in India, reaffirming its title as the “Tiger State” of the country.