Chhattisgarh

• 19 Nov 2024

56th Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Recently, Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh has officially been declared as the 56^th Tiger Reserve of the country.

Key Points

• About Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve:
  • The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve spans from Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh.
  • Total area is 2,829.38 sq. km, with core tiger habitat of 2,049.2 sq. km and buffer zone 780.15 sq. km.
  • It is the third-largest tiger reserve in India, after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh and Manas in Assam.
• Conservation and Connectivity:
  • It forms a landscape complex of approximately 4,500 sq. km with the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is connected to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh in the west and Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand in the east.
• Ecological and Faunal Diversity:
  • Located in the Chota Nagpur plateau and partly in the Baghelkhand plateau, the reserve features diverse terrains, dense forests, streams, and rivers, providing critical tiger habitats.
  • Zoological Survey of India documented 753 species:
    • 365 invertebrates (mainly insects).
    • 388 vertebrates, including 230 bird species and 55 mammal species, several of which are threatened.
• Chhattisgarh now hosts four tiger reserves, enhancing tiger conservation efforts under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Project Tiger initiative.

Dhudmaras Village

Why in News?

Dhudmaras, a village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, has been selected to participate in the Best Tourism Village Upgrade Programme (BTVUP) under the United Nations Tourism for Rural Development Programme (UNTRDP) by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

• This recognition marks its potential as a hub for eco-tourism and sustainable development.

Key Points

• Dhudmaras Village:
  • Located in Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP), is surrounded by dense forests, the Kanger River, and rich biodiversity, making it a prime eco-tourism destination.
    • KVNP is named after the Kanger River, which flows through it. It was designated as a national park in 1982.
    • KVNP is home to three notable caves Kutumbasar, Kailash and Dandak famous for their stalagmites (mineral formations that rise from the floor of a cave) and stalactites (mineral formations that hang from the ceiling of a cave).
    • The park is dominated by Sal, Teak, and Bamboo, forming a moist deciduous forest.
  • It is home to the Dhurwa Tribe, part of the Gond Tribe, speak Paarji, a Gond dialect. Their lifestyle is closely tied to nature, relying on forests and natural resources for sustenance.
• Recognition and Support:
  • As part of the UNWTO’s initiative under the BTVUP, Dhudmaras will now receive assistance to enhance areas like economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and tourism development, ensuring long-term growth.
• UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme:
  • About:
    • UNTRDP promotes development, inclusion, and innovation in rural areas through tourism, aiming to combat depopulation and encourage sustainable practices.
  • Evaluation Criteria:
    • Villages participating in the program are evaluated under nine key areas, which include cultural and natural resources, economic and social sustainability, tourism development, and infrastructure, among others.
      • This evaluation ensures that the selected villages meet standards of sustainability, inclusiveness, and governance.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation

• The UNWTO, established in 1975 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, promotes responsible, sustainable, and accessible tourism.
• It has 159 member countries, including India, it serves as a global forum for tourism policy, advocates the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and aligns tourism with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • Target 8.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on promoting sustainable tourism that creates jobs and preserves local culture and products.