Madhav National Park

Source:  TOI

Context: The Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve and the 9th in the state.

About Madhav National Park:

• Location: Shivpuri district, Chambal region, Madhya Pradesh.
• Established: 1958.
• Area Covered: 354 sq km.
• Flora and Fauna: Dry deciduous forest with teak, sal, and dhok trees; home to tigers, leopards, wolves, chinkara, nilgai, and crocodiles.
• Historical Significance: Named after Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia; earlier used as a royal hunting ground.
• Reintroduction of Tigers: Started in 2023, with three tigers (including two females) introduced.
• Major Attraction: Sakhya Sagar Lake, George Castle, and eco-tourism activities.

What is a Tiger Reserve?

• A Tiger Reserve is a protected area meant for the conservation of Bengal tigers and their ecosystem.
• It falls under Project Tiger (1973), a centrally sponsored scheme by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• These reserves ensure tiger population growth, habitat conservation, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.

Procedure to Designate a Tiger Reserve in India

• Proposal & Identification:-The State Government proposes a region based on the viability of the tiger population, habitat conditions, and biodiversity value.
• Approval by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):-NTCA evaluates the proposal, considering factors such as tiger presence, ecological balance, and community impact.
• Central Government Notification:- After NTCA’s approval, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) declares the area as a Tiger Reserve under Section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Core & Buffer Zone Demarcation:
  • The reserve is divided into:
    • Core Zone: Strictly protected for wildlife, with zero human disturbance.
    • Buffer Zone: Allows regulated human activities to support conservation while considering local livelihoods.
• Conservation Measures & Monitoring:- Regular population surveys, habitat management, and anti-poaching measures are implemented.
  • NTCA oversees monitoring through the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) program.