Chhattisgarh to Establish India’s 3rd-Largest Tiger Reserve for Tiger Conservation

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh has taken a major step forward in wildlife conservation with the approval of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, set to become the third-largest tiger reserve in India. Covering an expansive area of 2,829 square kilometers, the new reserve will encompass four northern districts: Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur.

This decision follows a significant intervention by the Chhattisgarh High Court on July 15, which hastened the creation process and set a deadline for the state administration to finalize the reserve. This urgent response is driven by alarming data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which has reported a steep decline in the tiger population in Chhattisgarh—from 46 tigers in 2014 to just 17 in 2022. The new reserve is a critical measure to counteract this trend and enhance the state’s tiger conservation efforts.

The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will integrate the existing Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, creating a continuous habitat crucial for tiger conservation. This merger is designed to offer a stable and expansive environment that will support the growth and survival of tigers in the region.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has highlighted similar conservation challenges in other states, emphasizing the importance of Chhattisgarh’s proactive measures. The establishment of this new reserve strengthens India’s network of protected areas and demonstrates a firm commitment to preserving its biodiversity amid ongoing threats such as habitat fragmentation caused by development and mining activities.

India’s largest tiger reserve remains the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, covering 3,296.31 square kilometers, followed by the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam at 2,837.1 square kilometers. The creation of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve represents a significant milestone in India’s tiger conservation strategy, marking a pivotal development in the country’s efforts to sustain its tiger populations and safeguard its natural heritage.