Guru Ghasidas National Park to become Chhattisgarh’s 4th tiger reserve 

Chhattisgarh government announced that the state is set to have Guru Ghasidas National Park in Kotiya district as its fourth ‘tiger reserve’. This decision was taken in 11th meeting of Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had approved to declare Guru Ghasidas National Park as a tiger reserve in 2014.

Key Highlights of Meet

Emphasis was laid on increasing number of tigers in Chhattisgarh and their safety measures like radio collaring system for tiger safety as well as resettlement of more cheetahs from Barnavapara Sanctuary to Guru Ghasi Das National Park and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve.

Drafting of action plans for conservation of wild buffalo (wild animal of Chhattisgarh), hill myna (state bird of Chhattisgarh) and vultures. At least 5 species of vultures are found in Achanakmar tiger reserve, Guru Ghasidas National Park and Mainpat in Surguja.

The decision was also taken to develop water sources for wild animals in the state’s forests, construction of large ponds in the forest villages and plantation of fruits and vegetables especially Narwali vegetables, plantation of bamboo and banana so that these wild animals won’t have to wander here and there for food and fodder.

Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh: At present there are three tiger reserves in state: Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Bilaspur, Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Gariaband and Indravati Tiger Reserve in Bijapur district.

Lemru Elephant Reserve: During the meet a notification regarding the formation of Lemru Elephant Reserve was also made. It will come into existence soon by merging forest areas of Korba, Katghora, Dharamjigarh and Surguja forest divisions of Korba, Raigad and Surguja districts. The total area records to be of about 1995 sq-km.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2019