Madhya Pradesh State PCS

• 10 Jul 2024

Madhya Pradesh Launches Probe in New Tiger Reserve

Why in News?

Recently, The Madhya Pradesh government has initiated an inquiry into the alleged poaching of tigers and irregularities in the newly established Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

Key Points

• The forest department launched the probe following an allegation of serious negligence in the conservation of tigers, tiger safari and management of forest property in the reserve.
  • There is also alleged large-scale illegal tree cutting and transportation of wood in the Bara Beat area of the Nauradehi Sanctuary.

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

• It is the seventh tiger reserve in the state and the 54th in India.
• It is spread across Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh and covers an area of 2,339 square kilometres.
• Parts of the reserve fall under the Narmada and Yamuna River basins and the Singorgarh Fort is located within the reserve.

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

• Nauradehi sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district.
• It was found to be the most suitable area for the cheetahs as its forests are not very dense to restrict the fast movement of the fastest land animal. 
  • And the prey base for cheetahs is also in abundance at the sanctuary.
• This is the largest wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh in terms of area covered.
• It is located in the centre of the state covering parts of Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Raisin Districts.  
• The protected area sits astride two major river basins of India, namely the Narmada and Ganges.