Telangana Declares Kumram Bheem Tiger Corridor As Conservation Reserve

Recently, the Telangana government declared a key tiger corridor as the Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

About Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve

Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve

The Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve has been notified to safeguard the critical tiger corridor connecting Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana to key reserves in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Location: The reserve spans 1,492.88 sq. km across Asifabad and Kagaznagar divisions in the Kumram Bheem Asifabad district.
Vegetation and Habitat: The area comprises tropical dry deciduous forests interspersed with open woodlands, grasslands, and riverine patches that provide a rich habitat for both flora and fauna.
Faunal Diversity: Besides resident and transient tigers, the area hosts leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, honey badgers, and jungle cats.
- It also supports herbivores like gaur, sambar, nilgai, chital, muntjac, four-horned antelope, and Indian gazelle.
- Over 240 bird species are recorded here, including Malabar Pied Hornbill and Long Billed Vulture, for which it is a crucial nesting site.
Ecological Significance: The reserve serves as a vital corridor for tiger dispersal and connectivity between Kawal, Tadoba-Andhari, Kanhargaon, Tipeshwar, Chaprala, (Maharashtra) and Indravati Tiger (Chattisgarh) Reserves.
- Camera trap data shows 45+ unique tigers used this corridor in the last decade.
Tiger births and leopard presence indicate it’s both a breeding ground and dispersal zone.

Parameter	Conservation Reserve	Community Reserve
Introduction	Conservation Reserves are government-owned areas designated for biodiversity protection.	Community Reserves are community or privately owned lands voluntarily protected for conservation.
Purpose	To serve as buffer zones, wildlife corridors, or connectors between national parks, sanctuaries, and forests.	To promote community participation in conserving biodiversity outside protected areas.
Designated By	State Government, after consultation with local communities.	State Government, based on voluntary community proposals or private landowners.
Legal Basis of Recognition	Section 36(A) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.	Section 36(C) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Ownership	Owned by the Government.	Owned by the local community or private individuals.
Management	Managed by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee.	Managed by a Community Reserve Management Committee including local stakeholders.
Rights of Residents	Traditional rights of local residents remain intact and are respected.	Residents retain full ownership and customary rights; participation is voluntary.
Examples	Thirupudaimaruthur, Tamil Nadu (First Conservation Reserve) , Sorsan and Khichan, (Rajasthan)	– Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu, Kerala – Meenachil River, Kerala

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