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The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh, India, is one of the most well-known tiger reserves in the country. It is famous for its high density of Bengal tigers and plays a crucial role in India’s tiger conservation efforts under Project Tiger. For UPSC aspirants, understanding Bandhavgarh’s ecological, historical, and conservation significance is essential for Prelims (Environment & Geography), Mains (GS-3: Conservation & Biodiversity), and the Interview.
Location and Geography
State: Madhya Pradesh
District: Umaria
Coordinates: 23.69°N, 81.01°E
Area: 1,536 sq. km (Core: 716 sq. km, Buffer: 820 sq. km)
Elevation: 440 – 810 meters
Landscape: Vindhya Hills, dense Sal forests, and grasslands
Climate
Summer: 35°C – 45°C
Winter: 2°C – 15°C
Rainfall: 1,100 mm annually (June – September, monsoon season)
A. Flora
Dominant Trees: Sal (Shorea robusta), Saja, Tendu, Arjun, Dhawda
Grasslands: Bamboo, tall grasses (Elephant Grass)
B. Fauna
Mammals
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) – Highest density in India.
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Sambar Deer, Chital, Nilgai
Birds
Over 250 species: Indian Peafowl, Lesser Adjutant, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Steppe Eagle.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Python, Cobra, Monitor Lizard, Mugger Crocodile
A. Tiger Population in Bandhavgarh
Tiger Density: One of the highest in India (8-10 tigers per 100 sq. km).
Current Population: Around 130+ tigers (2023 estimates).
Notable Tigers:
Sita: One of the most photographed tigers.
Charger: A dominant male, known for its aggressive nature.
Bamera, Bheema, Rajbhera, Solo: Famous in recent years.
B. Role in Project Tiger
Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1993 under Project Tiger.
Key objectives: Habitat preservation, reducing human-animal conflict, and scientific monitoring of tigers.
A. Habitat Destruction
Deforestation due to illegal logging and expansion of human settlements.
B. Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade
Tiger poaching for skins, bones (used in Chinese medicine) is a significant issue.
C. Human-Wildlife Conflict
Villagers living near the buffer zone face cattle killings by tigers, leading to retaliatory killings.
Grazing and encroachment reduce prey base for tigers.
D. Tourism Pressure
Overcrowding, vehicular movement, and unregulated tourism disturb the ecosystem.
E. Climate Change
Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns impact the availability of water and prey species.
Prelims Focus
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Type: Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger, 1993)
Significance: Highest tiger density in India
Famous Tigers: Charger, Sita, Bamera
Flora: Sal, Bamboo, Tendu
Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Sambar, Chital
Mains Focus (GS Papers)
GS Paper 1 (Geography, History, and Culture)
Bandhavgarh Fort’s historical importance
Biodiversity and ecological role of tiger reserves
GS Paper 3 (Environment, Conservation, and Development)
Project Tiger and its success in Bandhavgarh
Challenges in tiger conservation (poaching, human-wildlife conflict)
Eco-tourism and sustainable development in Tiger Reserves
Essay Paper
“Tigers: The Guardians of the Ecosystem”
“Balancing Conservation and Development: A Case Study of Bandhavgarh”
The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is a flagship conservation area for Bengal tigers and a crucial part of India’s Project Tiger initiative. While it has achieved remarkable success in tiger population growth, challenges like poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict remain. For UPSC aspirants, Bandhavgarh provides an excellent case study on wildlife conservation, eco-tourism, and sustainable development.
With scientific conservation measures, community participation, and stricter legal frameworks, Bandhavgarh can continue to be a global model for tiger conservation while balancing biodiversity and development.
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