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.

About Valmiki Tiger Reserve

• 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.

Also Read: 50th Anniversary Of Project Tiger

News source: Down to Earth