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Roaring Wonders: Exploring India's Top 10 Tiger Ranges
- Kawaljeet Kaur
- Dec 27, 2024
- 4 min read
India, home to over 70% of the world's majestic Bengal tiger population, boasts a diverse landscape that provides a habitat for these incredible creatures. From the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats, India's varied ecosystems support a thriving tiger population. Here, we will embark on a journey to discover India's top 10 tiger ranges, highlighting their unique characteristics, biodiversity, and conservation efforts.
1. Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Located in the Nallamala hills, the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India, covering an area of 3296.31 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, leopards, pangolins, and Indian rock pythons. The reserve's diverse landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides an ideal habitat for these majestic creatures.
2. Manas National Park, Assam
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Manas National Park is in the foothills of the Himalayas and covers an area of 3150.92 square kilometers. This park is home to an incredible array of biodiversity, including the one-horned rhinoceros, Indian tigers, and Asiatic elephants. The park's unique landscape, comprising grasslands, forests, and wetlands, provides a habitat for over 450 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 30 species of reptiles.
3. Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
Located in the Satpura hills, the Melghat Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2768.52 square kilometers. This reserve is a prime habitat for Bengal tigers, with a population of over 40 individuals. The reserve's diverse landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides an ideal habitat for these majestic creatures.
4. Similipal National Park, Odisha
Located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, Similipal National Park covers an area of 2750 square kilometers. This park is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 100 individuals. The park's unique landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides a habitat for over 100 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 20 species of reptiles.
5. Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana
Located in the Nallamala hills, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2611.39 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 30 individuals. The reserve's diverse landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides an ideal habitat for these majestic creatures.
6. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal
Located in the Sundarbans delta, the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2584.89 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 100 individuals. The reserve's unique landscape, comprising mangrove forests, wetlands, and rivers, provides a habitat for over 400 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 30 species of reptiles.
7. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh
Located in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2201.77 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 30 individuals. The reserve's diverse landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides an ideal habitat for these majestic creatures.
8. Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, the Satpura Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2133.30 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 40 individuals. The reserve's unique landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides a habitat for over 100 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 20 species of reptiles.
9. Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh
Located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, the Namdapha Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2052.82 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 20 individuals. The reserve's unique landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides a habitat for over 100 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 20 species of reptiles.
10. Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2051.79 square kilometers. This reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, with over 40 individuals. The reserve's unique landscape, comprising forests, hills, and valleys, provides a habitat for over 100 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 20 species of reptiles.
INDIA'S TOP 10 TIGER RANGES
Conclusion:
While several iconic tiger reserves are scattered throughout the country, some did not make the top 10 list due to factors such as tiger density, habitat fragmentation, tourism pressure, and human-tiger conflict. These pressing issues will be explored in future articles. The Indian government has implemented several conservation efforts to protect the country's tiger population. Despite conservation efforts, tiger populations in India continue to face several threats.
It is essential that we continue to support conservation efforts and work towards protecting these incredible ecosystems for future generations.
Source:
Protected Area Network in India" by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
India's Biodiversity Hotspots" by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Tiger Conservation in India" by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Community-based Conservation in India" by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - India
Tiger Census 2018" by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
National Tiger Conservation Authority/ Project Tiger
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