Bihar
A Rise in Tiger Numbers in Valmiki Tiger Reserve
- 30 Dec 2023
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had officially announced the increase in tiger population in Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR).
- It witnessed the growth in the number of big cats from 31 (2018) to 54 (2023).
- The Bihar government is waiting to obtain NTCA approval for declaring Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as the state’s second tiger reserve after VTR.
Key Points
- A total ban on sand and stone mining inside VTR, and strict restrictions on mining in its eco-sensitive zone, helped increase grassland cover.
- An increase in grassland cover thus helps in supporting the prey population, in turn increasing the chances of the carnivores’ survival.
- The VTR is the only tiger reserve in Bihar, which forms the easternmost extent of the Himalayan Terai forests in India.
- The VTR is located in Bihar’s West Champaran district, bordering Nepal to its north and Uttar Pradesh to its west.
- According to the Forest Survey of India Report 2021, 85.71% of its total area is covered by forest cover.
- Wild mammals found in the forests of Valmiki Tiger Reserve include tiger, sloth bear, leopard, wild dog, bison, wild boar etc.
- Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.
