Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve

1. Why in News?

• Recent Notification: Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve (GGTP) in Chhattisgarh has been declared as India's 56th tiger reserve.
• Significance: It highlights India's commitment to tiger conservation and ecological balance.

2. Key Features of GGTP Tiger Reserve

• Location and Size:
• Located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau and partly in the Baghelkhand Plateau.
• Comprises a core area of 2,049.2 sq. km (Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary) and a buffer zone of 780.15 sq. km.
• Third-largest tiger reserve in India after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam and Manas.
• Biodiversity:
• Species Richness: Documented by the Zoological Survey of India with 753 species, including 365 invertebrates and 388 vertebrates.
• Landscape Approach:
• Promotes ecological connectivity with nearby tiger reserves like:
• Sanjay Dubri (Madhya Pradesh)
• Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh)
• Palamau (Jharkhand).
• Aligns with the National Wildlife Plan (2017-2031) to enhance habitat preservation and sustainable biodiversity conservation.

3. Notification of Tiger Reserves

• Legal Framework:
• Governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Amended by the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.
• Notified by State Governments on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

4. Comparison with Existing Tiger Reserves in Chhattisgarh

• Before GGTP's notification, Chhattisgarh had three tiger reserves:
• Indravati Tiger Reserve in Bijapur district.
• Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Gariaband district.
• Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Mungeli district.

5. Significance

• Ecological: Strengthens India's tiger conservation network by improving connectivity between reserves and preserving unique biodiversity.
• Strategic: Highlights India's adherence to conservation frameworks like the National Wildlife Plan.

6. Related UPSC Previous Year Questions

• Q1 (2012): Bandipur, Manas, and Sundarbans are declared tiger reserves, while Bhitarkanika is not.
• Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3, and 4 only.
• Q2 (2017): Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve serves as an essential ecological link between the Eastern and Western Ghats.
• Correct Answer: (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

Answer:

Introduction

The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve (GGTP), recently notified as India’s 56th tiger reserve, is a significant addition to the country’s biodiversity conservation initiatives. Located in Chhattisgarh, it showcases a rich ecosystem and adopts the innovative landscape approach to enhance habitat preservation and ecological connectivity.

Significance of GGTP Tiger Reserve

1.     Ecological Importance:

o    Biodiversity Hotspot: GGTP houses 753 species, including 365 invertebrates and 388 vertebrates, contributing to India’s rich biodiversity.

o    Critical Habitat: It ensures the survival of endangered species, including tigers, by providing a contiguous core and buffer habitat spanning 2,829.35 sq. km.

2.     Strategic Connectivity:

o    Acts as a link between neighboring reserves such as Sanjay Dubri (MP), Bandhavgarh (MP), and Palamau (Jharkhand).

o    Promotes the genetic flow of wildlife, essential for species survival and adaptation.

3.     Conservation Goals:

o    Aligns with India’s National Wildlife Plan (2017-2031), emphasizing a landscape approach to strengthen tiger populations and protect forest ecosystems.

Landscape Approach for Ecological Connectivity

1.     Interconnected Habitats:

o    Establishes ecological corridors between reserves to mitigate habitat fragmentation.

o    Reduces human-animal conflict by ensuring alternative pathways for wildlife movement.

2.     Promotes Sustainability:

o    Integrates conservation efforts with sustainable development, ensuring minimal disruption to local communities.

o    Facilitates adaptive management strategies based on changing ecological dynamics.

3.     Climate Resilience:

o    Helps ecosystems adapt to climate change by preserving diverse landscapes and supporting carbon sequestration.

Challenges

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Increased wildlife movement in interconnected habitats could heighten conflicts.
• Resource Constraints: Requires substantial funding and technical expertise for effective management.
• Community Involvement: Balancing conservation goals with the livelihoods of local communities is critical.

Way Forward

• Strengthen local community participation through eco-tourism and alternative livelihoods.
• Enhance funding mechanisms for tiger reserve management under NTCA and state initiatives.
• Promote research and monitoring of wildlife corridors to assess their effectiveness in conservation.

Conclusion

The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve exemplifies India’s commitment to sustainable biodiversity conservation. By adopting the landscape approach, it not only strengthens ecological connectivity but also aligns conservation efforts with broader environmental and developmental goals, setting a benchmark for other protected areas.

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve (GGTP):

1.     It is located in the Western Ghats.

2.     It has been notified as the 56th tiger reserve of India.

3.     The reserve promotes ecological connectivity with Sanjay Dubri and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

2. Which of the following is NOT true about the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve?

(a) It is situated in the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
(b) It has a core habitat spanning over 2,000 sq. km.
(c) It is the largest tiger reserve in India.
(d) It aligns with the National Wildlife Plan (2017-2031).

Answer: (c) It is the largest tiger reserve in India.

3. Which of the following tiger reserves are ecologically connected to the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve?

1.     Bandhavgarh

2.     Kanha

3.     Sanjay Dubri

4.     Palamau

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 3, and 4 only

4. Under which of the following Acts can Tiger Reserves in India be notified?

(a) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(b) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
(c) Forest Conservation Act, 1980
(d) Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Answer: (b) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

5. With reference to India’s tiger reserves, consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (b) 1, 3, and 4 only