Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Declared as India’s 56th Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh
India has officially announced the notification of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve as the country’s 56th tiger reserve, according to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. The tiger reserve, located in Chhattisgarh, spans across an area of 2,829 sq km and is a significant addition to India’s tiger conservation efforts.
Key Features of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve covers five districts in Chhattisgarh, including Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur. The reserve includes a core area of 2,049.2 sq km, which incorporates the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, and a buffer zone of 780.15 sq km.
This reserve is the third-largest tiger reserve in India, following Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam. The new reserve also strengthens the network of tiger reserves by connecting with Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, forming a landscape complex of nearly 4,500 sq km.
Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is rich in biodiversity, with 753 species recorded, including 365 invertebrates and 388 vertebrates. Among the vertebrates, the reserve is home to 230 bird species and 55 mammal species, including several threatened species. The reserve’s diverse ecosystems, including dense forests, rivers, and streams, provide ideal habitats for tigers and other wildlife.
Strategic Importance for Tiger Conservation
The reserve also connects to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to the west and the Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand to the east, enhancing the movement and gene flow of tigers across regions. With the addition of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla, Chhattisgarh now hosts four tiger reserves, significantly bolstering the state’s efforts in tiger conservation under the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s Project Tiger initiative.
This development is a major step in India’s continued commitment to preserving its tiger population and protecting its rich wildlife heritage. The notification of Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve marks a significant milestone in Chhattisgarh’s role in conservation and wildlife protection.
