Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Biodiversity and Conservation, Issue: Tiger Translocation to Sahyadri Reserve.
Context:
The Union Environment Ministry’s recent approval to translocate eight tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is a significant conservation effort aimed at reviving the tiger population in the northern Western Ghats.
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways about the Tiger Translocation to Sahyadri Reserve:
- Objective: To revive the tiger population in the northern Western Ghats, an important wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Unique Status: STR is one of five tiger reserves in India with zero tigers (others: Kaval, Kamlang, Dampa, Satkosia).
- Location & Area: STR spans 1,165 sq. km across Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts in Maharashtra.
- Created in 2010 by merging Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Approvals: NTCA cleared the plan in October 2023. Awaiting final clearance from the Union Environment Ministry.
- Phase-wise Plan:
- Phase I: Habitat preparation – prey augmentation, forest protection, soft-release enclosure.
- Phase II: Tiger translocation.
- Initial Step: One male or a male–female pair to be translocated from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to STR.
- Future Steps: Additional tigers to come from the Pench Tiger Reserve landscape (Maharashtra–Madhya Pradesh).
- Total plan: 8 tigers (3 males, 5 females).
- Concerns: Mining, road projects, and human settlements threaten the STR–Karnataka corridor.
| Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR): Location: Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra. These ranges form a common boundary between Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa and comprise rich evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Sahyadri’s habitat consists of woodlands, grasslands, and a plateau, the latter of which is locally referred to as “Sadaa” and is lateritic in nature. National Tiger Conservation authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was established in 2006 under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. |
Tiger Translocation Objectives, Challenges and Way Forward:
Conclusion:
The translocation of tigers to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve represents a forward-looking initiative to restore a breeding population of this apex predator in a critical ecological zone. By addressing challenges related to animal welfare, habitat quality, and human-wildlife interactions, this effort can strengthen tiger conservation in the Western Ghats, protect vital watersheds, and enhance ecosystem resilience.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
