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National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries in the News
 Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: Recently, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary has
been considered for introducing the Asiatic lion.

About Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

 The wildlife sanctuary lies 15 km from the coast
of Porbandar (Gujarat).
 Ethnic races such as Maldharis, Bharvads,
Rabaris, and Gadhvis live in this region of
Saurashtra.
 Characteristically abundant in floral diversity
such as Gorad, Dhav, Rayan, Amli, Dhudhlo, etc.
 Habitat is quite suitable for wild ungulates
(Sambar, chital, chinkara, etc.), which would
create a good prey base for big carnivores like
Lion.
 Protection Status:
IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

• The Asiatic Lion (also known as the Persian Lion

or Indian Lion) is a member of the Panthera Leo
Leo subspecies that is restricted to India.
• Its previous habitats consisted of West Asia and
the Middle East before it became extinct in
these regions.
• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African
lions.
• The most striking morphological character,
which is always seen in Asiatic lions, and rarely
in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin
running along its belly.
 Ernakulum National Park
Context: Kerala’s first fernarium opens at Eravikulam
National Park.

About Eravikulam National Park

 Location: High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the
Southern Western Ghats in the Idukki District,
Kerala.
 Topography: The park comprises a high-rolling
plateau.
 Flora: Major plant communities include grasslands,
shrubs, and shola forests.
 It houses the special Neelakurinji flowers that
bloom once every 12 years.
 Fauna: It holds the viable population of the
endangered Civet cats, Nilgiri Tahr, and Jungle cats.
About Ferns
● Ferns are non-flowering pteridophytes.
● They generally reproduce by producing spores. However, ferns have
roots, stems, and leaves similar to flowering plants.
● Ferns obtain water and nutrients through leaching from trees.
● A botanical garden or enclosure dedicated to the growth and display
of ferns is called a Fernarium.
 Hasdeo Aranya
Context: Hasdeo forest has, in recent times, been a centre of tribal protest
following Parsa coal mining approval.

About Hasdeo forest:

 A sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh known for its
biodiversity and coal deposits.
 It is home to the Gond tribe and other forest dwellers.
 The Hasdeo River, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it.
 It is a major migratory corridor for elephants.
 Flora consists of Sal and Teak trees.
 The area is connected to Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary, Achanakmar
Tiger Reserve, and Kanha Tiger Reserve.
 The Hasdeo reserve hosts 18 identified coal mines.
 The area is listed in the Vth Schedule of the Constitution, hence,
consultation and recommendations of Gram Sabha before the acquisition
of land is mandatory.
Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary
● Located in Chhattisgarh, near Chilpi Valley (an extended buffer zone of Kanha National
Park) and named after Bhoramdeo temple.
● The River Sakri (a tributary of Shivnath River, Mahanadi's tributary) flows through the
sanctuary.
● Flora includes Sal, Saja, Teinsa, etc.
● Fauna consists of Cheetal, Wild Buffalo, etc.
 Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: Recently, Chhattisgarh Forest Department successfully
translocated four sub-adult wild buffaloes from Assam to Chattisgarh’s
Barnawapara wildlife sanctuary.

About Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

 The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk, and Mahanadi are the lifeline rivers running
along the sanctuary.
 Flora: Teak, Sal, etc.
 Fauna: Cheetal, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, etc.
Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee)

• The wild buffalo is mainly found in the alluvial

grasslands, marshes, swamps and river valleys. They
are generally found in areas that have plenty of water
holes and resources.
• The estimated population of the wild buffaloes in the
Northeast is around 3,000-4,000, the largest in the
country and accounting for 92% of the world
population.
• It is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972.
• It is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species.
 Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: The low population of Elephants in Satkosia Wildlife
Sanctuary has led to concerns about the migration patterns of long-
ranging animals.

About Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

 Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is also a critical tiger habitat in Odisha,
named after the narrow stretch of River Mahanadi, known as "Sat-
kosh."
 Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipali Sanctuary were notified as
Satkosia Tiger Reserve in 2007.
 Fauna: Sloth bears, Gaurs, sambar deer, spotted deer, etc.
 Kalasa Banduri Project
About Kalasa-Banduri project
 The project aims to divert water from
Mahadayi River to facilitate the drinking
water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot
and Gadag districts in Karnataka.
 It intends to build barrages on Kalasa and
Banduri streams, tributaries of Mahadayi.
 Mahadayi River originates in the Bhimgad
Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district of
Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in
Goa.
 Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger
Reserve
About Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR):
 It is spread over five districts in Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana, primarily comprising the Nallamala Hills.
 It is a typical tropical dry and moist deciduous
vegetation characterized by hilly terrain with an
undergrowth of bamboo and grass.
 The Krishna River flows through this reserve's basin.
 Eco-tourism activities in NSTR include public support
for wildlife conservation by involving local
communities, primarily the ‘Chenchus’ (PVTG), and
providing them with an alternative means of
livelihood.
 Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: Recently, Madhya Pradesh announced that
Gandhisagar Sanctuary will be developed as a 2nd home
for Cheetahs.

About Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary

 Located in Madhya Pradesh, with a boundary along
the Rajasthan border.
 It features open landscapes with sparse vegetation,
rocky terrain, and small patches of dense forests,
providing an ideal habitat for cheetahs and is divided
by the River Chambal.
 Tree species include Khair, Salai, Dhawda, Tendu, and
Palash.
 It is home to herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai, and
Spotted Deer, as well as carnivores like the Indian
Leopard, Striped Hyena, and Jackal.
 The Cheetah Reintroduction Project-
• The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in
India formally commenced on September
17, 2022, to restore the population of
cheetahs, which were declared extinct in
the country in 1952.
• The project involves the translocation of
cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia
to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

• The project is implemented by the National Tiger

Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration
with the Madhya Pradesh Forest
Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and
cheetah experts from Namibia and South Africa.
National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries in the News
 Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: A rescued black panther was scheduled for release into
the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

 Located in the Sanguem Taluka in South-Eastern Goa.
 River Netravali originates in the sanctuary and is a significant
tributary of the Zuari River.
 Sanctuary's flora- moist deciduous forest with some semi-
evergreen forest in valleys.
 Sanctuary’s fauna - Indian gaur, spotted deer, sambar deer,
barking deer, etc.
 Two important waterfalls namely, Savari and Mainapi.
 Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cotigao
Wildlife Sanctuary are the neighboring sanctuaries
About Blach Panther
• A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of any
Panthera, particularly of the leopard in Asia and
Africa, and the jaguar in the Americas.
• Melanism is the increased development of the dark-
colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair.
• It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to
detect. It is mostly found in densely forested areas of
southern India.
 Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: The Assam government is working to open
a traditional wildlife path from Kaziranga to Orang
National Park through Bura Chapori Wildlife
Sanctuary.

About Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary:

 Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected
area in Assam, located on the south bank of the
Brahmaputra River in Sonitpur district.
 It is part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori
ecosystem and serves as a buffer for the
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
 Ideal habitat for Bengal Florican.
About the Bengal Florican
 Also called Bengal bustard, is a bustard species native to the
Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
 It has two disjunct populations, one in the Indian
subcontinent, another in Southeast Asia.
 The former occurs from Uttar Pradesh (India) through the
Terai of Nepal to Assam (where it is called ulu mora) and
Arunachal Pradesh in India, and historically to Bangladesh.
 It has a very small, rapidly declining population largely as a
result of the widespread loss of its grassland habitat.

Conservation status
 IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
 CITES: Appendix I
 Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972: Schedule I
 Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: Proposal to declare the area around
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive
Zone.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

 Located in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra
River in Assam.
 Known for the highest density of one-horned
rhinos in the world.
 Often referred to as "Mini Kaziranga."
 About 72% of the sanctuary is wet savannah.
What are Eco-Sensitive Zones?
• The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under
the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas
beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically
important “sensitive corridors”.
• ESZs are protected and environmentally sensitive areas where certain activities and land uses are regulated
to minimize human impact and protect the ecology and wildlife.
● A buffer around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other ecologically fragile areas.
● Regulation of Activities:
○ Prohibited: Commercial mining, major hydroelectric projects, etc.
○ Regulated: Establishment of hotels and resorts, felling of trees, etc.
○ Permitted: Organic farming, horticulture practices, etc.
 Ranthambore and Mukundra Tiger
Reserve
Context: Recently, NTCA approved the relocation of three
tigresses from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to Mukundra Hills
Tiger Reserve and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

 Located in the eastern part of Rajasthan (Sawai Madhopur)
at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya Hill ranges.
 Includes Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Mansingh
Sanctuary, and Kailadevi Sanctuary.
 Vegetation comprises tropical dry deciduous forests, with
“dhak” being the common.
 Wildlife includes Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Caracals,
Blackbuck etc.
National Tiger Conservation Authority
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment,
Forests and Climate Change.
• It was established in 2005 following the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force.
• It was constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for
strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it.
• Minister in charge of MoEFCC (as Chairperson).

Dhak Trees:
● Dhak Tree is a deciduous tree species native to the Indian Subcontinent.
● They are known for their vibrant orange-red flowers.

About Mukundra Tiger Reserve

• Located near Kota, Rajasthan, in a valley formed by the parallel mountains of Mukundra and Gargola.
• Includes Darrah, Jawahar Sagar, and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• The reserve features dense forest vegetation and is bordered by the Chambal River.
• Wildlife includes Tigers, Striped Hyenas, Rhesus Macaques, etc.
 Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Context: Recently, the regional commissioner of Mysore was directed to
clear illegal constructions in the Bandipur Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

Bandipur Tiger Reserve

 It was established as one of the first nine tiger reserves under Project
Tiger in 1973-74.
 It lies in Western Ghats in Karnataka, in the tri-junction area of
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, surrounded by:
 Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in Southwest.
 Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.
 Nagarhole Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) in the North-West (separated
by Kabini Reservoir).
 Together, these 4 areas are part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
 Kabini River in the North, Moya River in the South. Nugu River also runs
through the reserve, and Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is the highest
peak of the reserve.
What are Eco-Sensitive Zones?
• The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under
the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas
beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically
important “sensitive corridors”.
• ESZs are protected and environmentally sensitive areas where certain activities and land uses are regulated
to minimize human impact and protect the ecology and wildlife.
● A buffer around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other ecologically fragile areas.
● Regulation of Activities:
○ Prohibited: Commercial mining, major hydroelectric projects, etc.
○ Regulated: Establishment of hotels and resorts, felling of trees, etc.
○ Permitted: Organic farming, horticulture practices, etc.
 Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: Recently, the Bombay High Court directed the Goa
government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger
reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act.

About Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

 It is located in North Goa District, near Valpoi, and is home to
Bengal Tigers and various bird species, earning it an International
Bird Area status.
 Fauna includes Nilgiri wood-pigeon and crimson-backed sunbird,
etc.
 Flora includes sacred grooves, creepers, evergreen species of
Ashoka and colorful flowers, etc.
 Mhadei River originates in Karnataka and flows through the
sanctuary before reaching the Arabian Sea.
 Herpetologists are attracted to the sanctuary for its variety of
snakes, including the "big four" venomous ones, which include
Indian krait, Russell’s viper, Saw-scaled viper, and Spectacled
cobra.
 Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary
Context: Maharashtra forest department will translocate one tigress
from Chandrapur to Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Chhattisgarh.

About Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary

 Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhatisgarh was established in
1975 and was declared as a tiger reserve in 2009.
 It is located in the Central Indian Highlands, Bilaspur district of
Chhattisgarh.
 Forms part of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve.
 Flora: Vegetation includes sal, bija, saja, haldu, teak, tinsa,
dhawara, lendia, khamar, and bamboo.
 Water Sources: The meandering Maniyari River flows through the
reserve, vital for wildlife.
 Diverse Wildlife: Tiger, leopard, bison, flying squirrel, etc.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

It is located in Chandrapur district in

Maharashtra.

It is Maharashtra's oldest and largest

national park.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve was

established as the second Tiger Reserve in
Maharashtra in 1993-94.

The first Tiger Reserve established in the

State is Melghat Tiger Reserve (1973-74).

It represents Southern Tropical Dry

Deciduous Teak Forests in the Tiger habitat
and has a viable tiger population
 Manas National Park
Context: The recent All India Tiger Estimation 2022 revealed Manas
National Park's shift to high tiger density in western Assam.

About Manas Tiger Reserve

 It is situated in Assam, Manas National Park is intersected by
the Manas and Beki rivers.
 It experiences a tropical monsoon climate characterized by
distinct wet and dry seasons.
 Distinctive Fauna: Pygmy hog, Golden langur, and Assam
roofed turtle.