Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, located approximately 20 kilometers from the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, spans an impressive area of 2,339 square kilometers. The reserve aims to closely monitor its tiger population using 650 trap cameras. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to protect the big cats from poaching and to ensure effective conservation of the species.
Tiger Population in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is home to the highest tiger population in India. Out of the 3,800 tigers in the wild across the country, 785 reside in this state. The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, named after the queen of the Gondi people, ‘Veerangana Durgavati,’ was established in 2023 as the 7th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh and the 54th in India.
Area and Location
The reserve covers three districts: Narsinghpur, Sagar, and Damoh. The grasslands in this region are considered particularly well-suited for the conservation of tigers and other wildlife, according to wildlife experts.
Collaboration with WWF
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is conducting a comprehensive camera scan across the tiger reserve. The reserve is divided into two blocks, with three ranges being camera-monitored. Dr. AA Ansari, Deputy Director of Nauradehi Tiger Reserve, highlighted that the objective of this monitoring is to track tiger territories and other wildlife movements for conservation purposes.
Phase-4 Camera Scan
The current phase, known as the Phase-4 camera scan, involves the installation of 650 trap cameras across the first block, specifically in the Dongargaon, Nauradehi, and Sarra ranges. These cameras will remain in place for a month, after which the data collected will be analyzed and used to inform future management strategies for the reserve.
- Core Area and Buffer Area: The tiger reserve is divided into the core area (1,414 square kilometers) and the buffer area (925.12 square kilometers). Camera scans are first conducted in the core area, followed by the buffer area.
Installation Process
The camera trapping process is carefully planned. The entire reserve is divided into grids, each covering 2 square kilometers. Two cameras are installed in each grid at locations where tigers or other wildlife are likely to pass. The cameras are mounted on trees, and surrounding vegetation is cleared to ensure optimal monitoring.
Data Collection and Analysis
Data is collected weekly by the staff, forest workers, and WWF team members. Information from the cameras is downloaded to computers, and the memory cards are replaced regularly. After one month, the data collected is sent to the State Forest Research Institute in Jabalpur for detailed analysis, which will guide future tiger conservation efforts in the reserve.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What is the primary purpose of installing 650 trap cameras in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve?
A) To monitor tiger movements and track poaching activities
B) To study wildlife behavior and monitor the ecosystem
C) To count the number of tigers in the reserve
D) To prevent illegal logging activities
Answer: B) To study wildlife behavior and monitor the ecosystem
2. How many square kilometers does the core area of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve cover?
A) 925.12 square kilometers
B) 1,414 square kilometers
C) 2,339 square kilometers
D) 3,800 square kilometers
Answer: B) 1,414 square kilometers
3. Which organization is collaborating with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department for the camera scanning project?
A) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
B) Forest Research Institute
C) Tiger Conservation Foundation
D) Indian Wildlife Institute
Answer: A) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
4. When was Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve declared the 54th tiger reserve in India?
A) 2021
B) 2022
C) 2023
D) 2024
Answer: C) 2023
5. What is the area covered by a single grid in the camera scanning project?
A) 1 square kilometer
B) 2 square kilometers
C) 5 square kilometers
D) 10 square kilometers
Answer: B) 2 square kilometers