The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was on 2nd December declared a tiger reserve following in-principle approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change through the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Key points
- It is the 57th Tiger Reserve of the country and eighth tiger reserve in the state.
- The notification was issued under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, acknowledging the core area as a critical tiger habitat.
- The core area spans 763.8 square kilometers, while the buffer area covers 507.6 square kilometers, making the total area of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve 1,271.4 square kilometers.
- Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Vindhya hills. The sanctuary encompasses a World Heritage Site – the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters – and many historical and religious destinations.
- It is located in the Raisen district with a substantial cover of teak forests and is less than 50 kilometres away from Bhopal.
- Seven other reserves in Madhya Pradesh are: Kanha, Satpura, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Sanjay Dubri, Panna, and Veerangana Durgavati.
- Benefits: The tiger reserve designation enables the state to receive funding from the NTCA, which will ensure better management and conservation efforts for wildlife. Local communities will see economic opportunities grow with the promotion of ecotourism, which is expected to generate employment and improve livelihoods.
