The Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board has recently approved the proposal to designate Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Bhopal, as the eighth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. This decision marks a significant step in the conservation efforts for the region’s wildlife.
Current Status
The approval from the State Wildlife Board will be forwarded to the Central Government for final approval. This recommendation is a crucial step in formally notifying the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve, according to a senior forest officer.
Quote from Forest Official: “The state wildlife board in its last meeting has given the nod to declare Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve. We have received the board’s proposal now,” stated Subhranjan Sen, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) (Wildlife).
Historical Context
The proposal to declare Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve has been pending since 2008. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had given in-principle approval to this proposal in 2011. Once officially designated, Ratapani Tiger Reserve will hold the distinction of being the first tiger reserve in India located close to a state capital.
Next Steps
Following the Centre’s approval, the formal process to notify the sanctuary as a tiger reserve will commence. It is anticipated that the formalities required for this designation might take up to two additional months to complete.
Existing Tiger Reserves
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary will become the eighth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The existing seven tiger reserves in the state are:
- Bandhavgarh
- Kanha
- Panna
- Pench
- Sanjay-Dubri
- Satpura
- Veerangana Durgavati
Wildlife Statistics
As per the 2022 census, Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 3,123 wild animals, including 56 tigers and 70 leopards.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the proposed new designation for Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary?
- A) National Park
- B) Biosphere Reserve
- C) Tiger Reserve
- D) Wildlife Sanctuary
- Which official body’s recommendation is needed for final approval to designate Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve?
- A) National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- B) Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board
- C) Central Government
- D) Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF)
- When did the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) give in-principle approval for Ratapani to be a tiger reserve?
- A) 2008
- B) 2011
- C) 2015
- D) 2022
- How many tiger reserves will there be in Madhya Pradesh, including Ratapani once it is officially designated?
- A) Six
- B) Seven
- C) Eight
- D) Nine
- What is the total number of wild animals in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary according to the 2022 census?
- A) 2,500
- B) 3,123
- C) 4,000
- D) 5,000