Which one among the following is the largest tiger reserve of India in terms of area of the core/critical tiger habitat
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam
Understanding India's Tiger Reserves and Critical Habitats
India is home to a significant population of tigers and has established numerous tiger reserves to protect them. These reserves are crucial for the conservation of the species. A key concept in tiger conservation is the distinction between the 'core' or 'critical tiger habitat' and the 'buffer' area within a reserve.
- Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH): This area is identified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as being required to be kept inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers. It is the most important area for tiger breeding and survival, kept free from human activities like forestry operations and collection of minor forest produce.
- Buffer Area: This is the area surrounding the core habitat, intended to protect the core and minimize human-wildlife conflict. Sustainable land use practices and conservation-oriented activities are encouraged here.
Analyzing the Tiger Reserve Options
The question asks about the largest tiger reserve in India specifically in terms of the area of its core/critical tiger habitat. Let's look at the options provided:
- Manas Tiger Reserve: Located in Assam. It is known for its diverse wildlife, but its core area is smaller than some of the other major reserves.
- Pakke Tiger Reserve: Situated in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a smaller reserve compared to many others in India.
- Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve: Spans across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is one of the largest tiger reserves in India overall, and crucially, it holds the distinction of having the largest core area among all tiger reserves in the country.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve: Located in Kerala. It is a well-known reserve, particularly famous for its elephant population alongside tigers, but its core area is not the largest.
Identifying the Largest Core Habitat
Based on official data and geographical surveys of India's tiger reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the most extensive core area. This large, relatively undisturbed core habitat provides a vital sanctuary for tigers and supports a healthy breeding population.
To help visualize, although exact current figures can fluctuate slightly based on reporting, here is a general comparison based on core area (approximate figures for illustration):
| Tiger Reserve | State(s) | Approximate Core Area ($km^2$) |
|---|---|---|
| Manas | Assam | < 1000 |
| Pakke | Arunachal Pradesh | ~ 862 |
| Nagarjunasagar Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | > 2500 |
| Periyar | Kerala | ~ 881 |
It is clear from these comparisons that Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve stands out with the largest critical tiger habitat area among the given options, and indeed, nationally.
Conclusion
Considering the area of the core/critical tiger habitat, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest among the options provided and holds the record for the largest core area in India.
Revision Table: Key Tiger Reserves and Core Areas
| Tiger Reserve | Location | Significance (Core Area) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manas | Assam | Part of a UNESCO World Heritage site; significant but smaller core area compared to the largest. | |||
| Pakke | Arunachal Pradesh | Known for hornbills; relatively smaller core area. | Nagarjunasagar Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | Largest core/critical tiger habitat area in India. |
| Periyar | Kerala | Famous for elephants and tigers; significant core area but not the largest. |
Additional Information on Tiger Conservation in India
India's efforts in tiger conservation are globally recognized. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, has been instrumental in increasing tiger populations and protecting their habitats. Key aspects include:
- Project Tiger: A centrally sponsored scheme providing support to tiger range states for tiger conservation.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): A statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, responsible for managing Project Tiger and its reserves.
- Tiger Population Monitoring: Regular census using methods like camera trapping and DNA analysis to estimate tiger numbers.
- Habitat Connectivity: Efforts to maintain corridors between reserves to allow tiger movement and gene flow.
The critical tiger habitat concept is vital for ensuring that tigers have undisturbed areas necessary for breeding and long-term survival, free from human interference that could threaten their populations.
Similar Questions
Which one of the following statements about biodiversity is not correct ?
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1. The idea of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74
2. There are 18 designated Biosphere Reserves in India
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Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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National Park
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Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to biodiversity, which of the following statements is/are correct?
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Select the correct answer using the code given below:Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I
(National Park/
Wildlife Sanctuary)
List II
(State)
A.
Chandra Prabha
1.
Uttarakhand
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A good measure of biodiversity of an area is:
The Kulik bird sanctuary is located in:
In which state is Kaziranga National Park situated?
Which declaration was signed at UNCED 1992 at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil?
In which of the following places is the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre located?
