Ratapani notified as Madhya Pradesh’s 8th tiger reserve with 1,271 sq km area

The Madhya Pradesh government has officially notified Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Raisen district, as the state’s eighth tiger reserve. The notification was issued on Monday following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The new tiger reserve spans a total area of 1,271.465 square kilometers, with a core area of 763.812 square kilometers and a buffer area of 507.653 square kilometers.

The core area of the reserve has been designated as a critical tiger habitat under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This status ensures the protection of tigers and other wildlife within the reserve. Nine villages, which are located within the boundary of the reserve, have been included in the buffer zone. These villages, covering an area of 26.947 square kilometers, will remain outside the core area, ensuring that their rights and livelihoods will not be affected by the reserve's establishment.

Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in the Vindhya hills and is situated less than 50 kilometers from Bhopal, the state capital. The sanctuary is rich in biodiversity, primarily consisting of dense teak forests. It is also home to various wildlife species, including tigers, leopards, and other carnivores, as well as herbivores like sambar, chital, and wild boar. Additionally, the reserve includes the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which adds historical and cultural significance to the area.

The creation of Ratapani Tiger Reserve is expected to enhance wildlife management and conservation efforts through increased funding and support from the NTCA. The reserve's new status will also improve the region's conservation infrastructure, providing better facilities for research, monitoring, and anti-poaching measures. Local communities are also expected to benefit from the development of eco-tourism, which will generate employment and support sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Madhya Pradesh has the largest tiger population in India, with an estimated 785 tigers, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s ‘Status of Tigers: Co-predators and Prey in India-2022’ report. The state is home to seven other tiger reserves: Kanha, Satpura, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Sanjay Dubri, Panna, and Veerangana Durgavati.

In addition to Ratapani, the NTCA's technical committee has approved the proposal for Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district to be declared a tiger reserve. The formal notification for this designation is expected to be issued within the next 15 days, further strengthening Madhya Pradesh's commitment to tiger conservation.