Why in the News?
Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has recently been designated as the 8th Tiger Reserve by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This is a significant development in India’s wildlife conservation efforts, as it aims to bolster the protection of tigers and other wildlife species in the park.
- The park now joins the ranks of other major tiger reserves in the state, such as Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench, enhancing the region’s capacity for eco-tourism and local community development.
- The move also underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening wildlife conservation efforts in Madhya Pradesh, which boasts the highest tiger population in the country.
Madhav National Park: Location & Geography
- Madhav National Park is located in Shivpuri District of Madhya Pradesh, forming part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills.
- This park spans an area of 354 square kilometers (137 square miles), offering a diverse landscape of forested hills, flat grasslands, and water bodies.
- Notably, two significant reservoirs, Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, dominate the southern part of the park, enriching its aquatic biodiversity and supporting a range of terrestrial species.
- These lakes are critical lifelines for many animals and serve as a major attraction for bird watchers, especially during migratory seasons.
- The Sind River runs along the park’s eastern boundary, adding to the region’s rich hydrological features.
- The terrain is predominantly characterized by dry deciduous forests typical of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous ecoregion, supporting a variety of flora and fauna.
Flora and Fauna of Madhav National Park:
- Madhav National Park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, contributing to its importance as a biodiversity hotspot.
- The park’s forests are categorized as Northern tropical dry deciduous mixed forests and Dry Thorn Forests, which are characteristic of north-western Madhya Pradesh.
- The park’s vegetation provides essential shelter and food for a variety of animals, including predators like leopards, wolves, wild dogs, jackals, and foxes. The park is also a safe haven for several species of deer, including the Chital and Sambar.
- The park’s vegetation includes species like Kardhai, Salai, Dhaora, and Khair, while the understory features Ber, Makor, and Karonda plants.
- These forests also host several species of wildlife, including the Nilgai, Chinkara, and different types of deer, such as Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer.
Historical Significance of Madhav National Park:
- Madhav National Park has a long and storied history, particularly in its association with the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior. Originally designated as Shivpuri National Park in 1956, it was later renamed Madhav National Park in honor of Madho Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior, in 1959.
- The park was once a royal hunting preserve, and it was during this time that Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes were constructed as part of the Maharaja’s personal hunting grounds.
- In 1982, the park was expanded, and its boundaries were further defined.
- Despite the degradation caused by illegal mining activities in the 1990s, efforts to preserve and rehabilitate the park were successful after a ruling from the Supreme Court of India in 1998 that stopped mining activities in the area.
The New Tiger Reserve Status: Madhav National Park
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved the proposal to designate Madhav National Park as a Tiger Reserve, marking a significant milestone in the park’s conservation journey. With a core area of 375 square kilometers and a buffer area of 1,276 square kilometers, the new designation is expected to improve wildlife management and protection in the park.
- NTCA’s decision includes the release of a tiger and a tigress into the park to help repopulate the area with this iconic species. This move aligns with the broader goals of enhancing the tiger population in Madhya Pradesh, which already boasts the highest number of tigers in India.
This development will likely benefit eco-tourism in the region, offering economic opportunities for local communities through increased tourism. It will also contribute to the overall conservation landscape of Madhya Pradesh, home to some of India’s most significant protected areas, including Kuno National Park, which houses India’s only cheetah population.
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