Ratapani Tiger Reserve
Context:
Recently, Madhya Pradesh officially declared Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ratapani Tiger Reserve.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Conservation, Environment)
About Ratapani Tiger Reserve:
- The reserve is situated in Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- Of the total 3,500 sq km area of Ratapani in the Raisen, 1,500 sq km will be designated as the core tiger area, and the remaining 2,000 sq km will serve as a buffer zone.
- The reserve houses approximately 40 tigers currently, with an additional 10–12 tigers moving back and forth from the Bhopal forest.
- Bhimbetka is also located in the Raisen District, west-central Madhya Pradesh, about 45 km south of Bhopal.
- It is famous for the group of rock shelters and rock paintings, which is one of the “World Heritage Sites” declared by UNESCO.
- Flora: The sanctuary features forests of dry deciduous and moist deciduous varieties. Approximately 55% of the area is dominated by teak, while the rest consists of mixed forests with various dry deciduous species.
- Fauna: The tiger serves as the apex predator here. The sanctuary is also home to the endangered chinkara.
- It is also home to animals like the Panther, Hyena, Jackal, Indian Fox, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck, Chausingha, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, etc.
