If all goes well, India is soon going to get its 54th tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recently granted approval for the establishment of the tiger reserve in Rajasthan’s Karauli and Dholpur districts.
It will be the fifth tiger reserve in the state, joining the ranks of Mukundra Hills, Ranthambore, Sariska, and Ramgarh Vishdhari.
This decision marks a significant stride in wildlife preservation efforts within Rajasthan.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav conveyed his enthusiasm on a social media platform stating that the inception of the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve will be a monumental advancement for wildlife conservation in Rajasthan. He urged the public to commit to safeguarding this invaluable ecosystem and its majestic tigers.
Meanwhile, Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan has also got in-principle approval to be declared as another Tiger Reserve. Yadav shared his contentment about this development as well, stating that the initiative is a significant step toward wildlife conservation which promises a brighter future for tigers and biodiversity in Rajasthan.
Yadav also highlighted the positive impact on local employment opportunities through ecotourism resulting from these measures.
Reports further add that the NTCA endorsed the proposal on August 4th, and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change subsequently granted preliminary approval. The prospective Kumbhalgarh reserve, which spans across 2800 sq km, aims to contribute to wildlife protection.
Diya Kumari, a member of the NTCA and the Member of Parliament from Rajsamand, while welcoming the in-principle approval, added that she will be dedicated to overcome the challenges in realising this project, and expressed hope for the impending establishment of the Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve.
Government data shows a notable increase in India’s tiger population, growing from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,682 in 2022, representing a yearly growth of 6 per cent. Reports state that while Madhya Pradesh leads with the highest number of tigers (785), it is followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444), thereby showcasing a 50 per cent surge in the population of tigers over the past four years.
Reports also add that Rajasthan has witnessed a remarkable growth in its tiger population, rising from 32 in 2006 to 88 in 2022.
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