Tiger Numbers in Valmiki Tiger Reserve See a Rise

GS Paper III Environment

Context: Reduced human activities in Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) has resulted in an increase in Tiger population.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve has witnessed a 75 per cent increase in tiger number to 54 this year, up from 31 in 2018 as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Reasons for Increase in Tiger Numbers in Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Increase in grassland cover due to total ban on sand and stone mining inside VTR, and strict restrictions on mining in its eco-sensitive zone.
Rise in prey population ie. the herbivores who depend on the grasslands resulting in a better chance of survival for tigers.
Minimize human-wildlife conflict by creating awareness among local residents and keeping a check on illegal mining in and around the reserve.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Powers and Functions:

To approve the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government.
Evaluate and assess and allow any proposed land use projects such as, mining, industry and other projects within the tiger reserves.
Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives becomes legal.

Eco Sensitive Zones

These are areas/zones with valuable environmental resources requiring special attention for their conservation because of its landscape, wildlife, biodiversity, historical and natural values.
It is a zone of roughly 10 km around the boundaries of national park and wildlife sanctuaries. State governments are required to declare it under the provision of The Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is part of the Valmiki-Chitwan- Parsa Terai Arch Tiger Conservation Landscape.
Location: West Champaran, Bihar.
Major Flowing Rivers: Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve
Flora: Moist mixed deciduous, Open-land vegetation, Sub-mountainous semi-evergreen formation, Freshwater swamps, Riparian fringes, Alluvial grasslands, high hill savannah and Wetlands.
Fauna: Rhesus macaque and common Langur
The Reserve has also been designated as Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Indian Bird Conservation Network.