Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary Becomes Country's 52nd Tiger Reserve | 17 May 2022

Why in News

• On May 16, 2022, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav informed that a notification has been issued to declare the Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary in Bundi district of Rajasthan as the 52nd tiger reserve in the country.

Key Points

• After the notification, Ramgarh Vishdhari sanctuary has become the fourth tiger reserve of Rajasthan. At present, There are Ranthambhore, Sariska and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserves in Rajasthan.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had accorded 'in-principle' approval for creation of Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas as tiger reserves on July 5, 2021 under the provision of Section 38 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• In order to accord the approval granted by NTCA, an Expert Committee was constituted by the State Government for identification of Critical Tiger Habitat (Core) and Buffer Area of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve.
• A report was submitted by the Committee to the State Government on 24th January, 2022 for determination of the core and buffer area of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, District Bundi.
• It may be mentioned that the newly notified Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve includes habitat of tigers between Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in the Northeast and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in the south.
• The Government of Rajasthan declared it a sanctuary under Section 5 of the Rajasthan Wildlife and Bird Protection Act, 1951 on 20th May, 1982.
• Apart from tiger conservation, this sanctuary is also famous for the ecosystem as well as floral species. The sanctuary has 500 types of wildlife including Indian wolf, leopard, striped woodpecker, cheetal, sambhar, sloath bear, golden jackal, chinkara, nilgai, fox, wild cats, langur, snake, crocodile.