Context: Recently, the Chhattisgarh government decided to declare a new tiger reserve covering areas of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla wildlife sanctuary in the state.

Key highlights

• Creation of the tiger reserve will lead to the development of eco-tourism and generate employment opportunities for villagers living in its core and buffer areas.

• As per the recommendation of State Wildlife Board and the consent of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Union Ministry of Forest and Climate Change, the cabinet has decided to notify Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in an area of 2,829.387 sq km.

• It is formed after integrating the regions of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary. 

• It will be Chhattisgarh's 4th Tiger Reserve(TR).  The other 3 TRs are Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar.

• Also, it will be 3rd largest TR in the country. 

• Nagarjunsagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) is the largest TR in the country followed by Assam’s Manas.

About Tiger Reserve

• TR is considered as critical for tiger conservation, consists of two parts:

1. Core or critical tiger habitat: National Park or Sanctuary status 

2. Buffer or peripheral area: A lesser degree of habitat protection is required

• Currently, there are 55 TRs in the country (Dholpur – Karauli TR is 55th, declared in 2023)

How are tiger reserves notified?

• TRs are notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on the advice of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Alteration and de-notification

• No alteration in boundaries of TRs shall be made except on a recommendation of NTCA and approval of National Board for Wild Life (NBWL). 

• NBWL is a statutory board constituted under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 responsible for promotion of conservation & development of wildlife & forests.

• No State Government shall de-notify a TR, except in public interest with approval of NTCA and NBWL.

About Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary

• Guru Ghasidas National Park

• It is located on Chhota Nagpur plateau and some part in Baghelkhand plateau

• Vegetation: Moist deciduous with moderately dense forest

• Key tree includes Teak, Sal, Gurjan, Palas, Tendu, Mahua etc.

• Rivers:  Falls under Son drainage basin.

• Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Jackals, Barking deer, Spotted Deer etc.

• Tamor Pingla Sanctuary

• It is known for Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, bears, Sambar deer, wild boars, etc. 

• The name of this sanctuary is based on names of Tamor and Pingala Reserve Forests, that are named after Tamor Pahar and Pingla River.