Madhya Pradesh state wildlife board has accorded approval to declare Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as its eighth tiger reserve. It, when notified, will be the first tiger reserve in the country to have proximity to a state capital.

• The state wildlife board’s recommendation will be sent to the Centre for final approval to notify the wildlife sanctuary as the tiger reserve.

About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary

Cradled in a portion of Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges, passing through Raisen and Sehore Districts of Madhya Pradesh.

• Existence: The sanctuary was first notified in 1976 and then extended in 1983. 
• Background: The proposal to declare Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as tiger reserve has been begun since 2008. 
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has accorded in principle approval to notify Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as the tiger reserve in 2011. 
  • In 2012, the proposal for demarcating the Core and Buffer areas of the Reserve was suggested. 
• Kolar River forms the western boundary of the Sanctuary. 
• Dahod reservoir is another significant water body inside the sanctuary.
  • The sanctuary runs parallel on the northern side of Narmada River, the “life line of Madhya Pradesh”.
  • Ratapani reservoir, after which the sanctuary is named, forms a good habitat for crocodiles and other aquatic fauna. 
• Wildlife: The Ratapani wildlife sanctuary has a total 3123 wild animals including 56 tigers and 70 leopards, as per the 2022 census.
  • Chinkara, Sloth Bears,   Paradise Flycatcher- the state bird of Madhya Pradesh. 
• Significance: The Sanctuary has Bhimbetka “a group of rock shelters and rock paintings” which is one of the ”World Heritage Site ” declared by UNESCO, and hence, is of International importance. 
• Flora :  Dry deciduous and moist deciduous types.
• Existing Tiger Reserves of Madhya Pradesh: The seven other existing tiger reserves are Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Pench, Sanjay-Dubri, Satpura and Veerangana Durgavati. 

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