Earth Natwest Group Earth Heroes Award: Satpura Tiger Reserve | 29 Jul 2021

Why in News

• On July 28 2021, Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh received the NatWest Group Earth Heroes Award in the Earth Guardian category for best management.
  
  • It is noteworthy that the Satpura Tiger Reserve has also been included in the potential list of World Heritage.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • Satpura Tiger Reserve in the Hoshangabad district is spread over an area of 2130 square kilometers. It is part of the Deccan Bio-Geographic Region.
  • It was established in 2000 and is located south of Narmada River.
  • Satpura tiger reserve comprises of three protected areas namely:
  • Satpura National Park,
  • Bori Sanctuary, and
  • Pachmarhi Sanctuary.
• Denwa River: Denwa river is the main water source of the park. It originates from south-eastern part of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh and flows from east to west direction before joining the Tawa river at the south of Ranipur.
• Diversity: These forest enclaves provide habitat for several endangered species, including the Tiger. Other prime species found here are Black Buck, Leopard, Dhole, Indian Gaur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Sloth Bear.
• Avian Fauna: More than 300 species of birds can be seen which include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush and the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh Paradise Flycatcher along with many migratory birds like Indian Skimmers, Black-bellied tern, Bar-headed Geese, etc.
• Flora: The 26 species of flora found in the Himalayan region and 42 species found in the Nilgiri forests are also found abundantly in the Satpura forest area. That is why it is also named the Northern Ghats like the vast Western Ghats.
• Archaeological Significance: Presence of more than 50 rock shelters with paintings which are 1500 to 10,000 years old. Some of them have very rare depictions of elephants, lions, tigers, porcupines, and pangolins.