Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve: Maharashtra | 12 Apr 2021

Why in News

Three labourers were killed and two others injured during an operation to douse a forest fire at Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra.

Key Points

  • Location:
    • It is situated in Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra.
      • Gondia District shares common boundaries with the state of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the north and eastern side respectively.
    • Strategically, the Tiger Reserve is located in the heart of central Indian Tiger landscape which contributes almost one sixth of the total tiger population of the country.
  • Formation:
    • It was notified as the 46th Tiger Reserve of India in December 2013.
    • NNTR comprised of the notified area of Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Connectivity:
    • NNTR has connectivity with the major tiger reserves in Central India like,
    • It is also connected to important tiger bearing areas like Umred-Karhandla sanctuary and Brahampuri Division (Maharashtra).
  • Flora:
    • The major forest type is "Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest".
      • Few thorny plants are also found.
      • Bamboo occurs in abundance.
  • Fauna:
    • Large Carnivores such as leopards and smaller carnivores like wild dogs, wolf jackals, jungle cats and also the good population of sloth bears are seen.
    • The important herbivore includes Cheetal, Sambar, Nilgai, Chousingha, Barking deer, Wild pig and Indian gaur. Mouse deer has also been recorded from the area.
    • More than 300 species of birds have been reported from the area.
  • Other Protected Areas in Maharashtra:

Source: IE