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Source– This post is based on the article “Bihar: Reduced human activity, including mining bans, helped increase tiger numbers in Valmiki reserve” published in “DownToEarth” on 20th December 2023.
Why in the News?
The increase in tiger numbers in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar was facilitated by diminished human activity, including bans on mining.
What is the status of Tiger Conservation in VTR?
1) A complete prohibition of sand and stone mining within VTR, coupled with stringent restrictions on mining in its eco-sensitive zone, helped increase grassland cover.
2) As a result, tiger numbers in the protected area rose to 54 in 2023, up from 31 in 2018 and 28 in 2014.
3) The Reserve received National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) acclaim for the 75% rise in tiger numbers, also earning a ‘Very Good’ categorization.
Note– Bihar aims to establish its second tiger reserve in the Kaimur district by 2024.
What are the Key Features of Valmiki Tiger Reserve?
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | 1) Located at the India-Nepal border in the West Champaran district of Bihar. 2) It is situated on the bank of river Gandak, in the Gangetic Plains. 3) It is surrounded by the Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north. 4) It is the sole tiger reserve in Bihar. |
| Rivers | Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve. |
| Vegetation | Moist mixed deciduous, open-land vegetation, sub-mountainous semi-evergreen formations, freshwater swamps, riparian fringes, alluvial grasslands, high hill savannah, and wetlands. |
| Flora | Sal, Karam, Asan, Bahera, Asidh, Simal, Jamun, Gular, Satsal, etc. |
| Fauna | 1) Large Animals- Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic elephants, Asiatic black bears, Indian sloth bears, otters, Indian leopards, wild dogs, wild water buffalo, Indian bison (Gaur), Nilgai etc. 2) Currently, VTR hosts 241 bird species, notable birds include the Nepal kalij pheasant, three-toed quail, and paradise flycatcher. |
UPSC Syllabus- Environment/Geography and Places in News
