The Centre declared Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as the country’s 58th tiger reserve on March 9, 2025.

• Madhav National Park became the ninth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

About Madhav National Park

• Location: Situated in the Shivpuri district in Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh, on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands of India.
• Establishment: The Park was the hunting ground of Mughal emperors and Maharaja of Gwalior.
• • It got the status of a National Park in 1958.
• Number of Tigers: The reserve has five tigers at present, including the two cubs born recently. 
  • Two more tigers could be released into the reserve soon
• Lakes: Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar are two lakes located in the southern part of the park.
  • Sakhya Sagar was declared a Ramsar site in July 2022.
• Rivers: The park area forms the catchment of the Sind River, which flows along its eastern boundary.
• Geology: The eastern part of the park consists of sedimentary rocks from the Vindhyan system, mainly sandstone, shale, and limestone.
• Vegetation: Comprises Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forests and Dry Thorn Forests.
• Fauna:
  • Herbivores: Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsinga, Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer.
  • Carnivores: Leopard, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, and Wild Dog.

About Tiger Reserve

• Tiger Reserve is a protected area designated for the conservation of tigers.
  • A tiger reserve can also be a national park or a wildlife sanctuary.
• Notification Authority: Tiger reserves are notified by State Governments under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, based on the advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

• NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Established in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Composition:
• • Chaired by the Minister in charge of MoEFCC.
  • Vice-Chaired by the Minister of State in MoEFCC.
  • Includes three Members of Parliament, the Secretary (MoEFCC), and other designated members.

About Tigers (Panthera tigris)

• Status:  Flagship species of India and declared as the National Animal.
• Distribution:
  • India has the largest population of wild tigers, constituting nearly 75% of the global tiger population.
  • Tigers are also found in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.
• Habitats: Tigers inhabit diverse ecosystems, including high mountains, mangrove swamps, tall grasslands, dry and moist deciduous forests, evergreen forests, and shola forests.
• Characteristics:
  • Tigers are solitary and territorial.
  • An adult male’s territory may encompass two to seven female territories.
  • Each tiger has unique stripe patterns, similar to human fingerprints.
  • Tigers are excellent swimmers.
• Conservation Status of Tigers
• • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I.
  • IUCN Red List: Classified as an Endangered species.
  • CITES : Listed in Appendix I.