The NTCA’s recommendation is based on a recent assessment of the sanctuary’s ecological significance. The assessment found that the sanctuary is an important habitat for tigers, elephants, and other wildlife. It also found that the sanctuary is currently well-protected from human encroachment.
The declaration of Nugu as a core critical tiger habitat would provide the sanctuary with the highest level of protection under India’s wildlife laws. This would mean that no new human activities would be allowed in the sanctuary, and that existing activities would be strictly controlled.
The Karnataka Forest Department has welcomed the NTCA’s recommendation. The department is now working on a proposal to notify the sanctuary as a core critical tiger habitat.
The declaration of Nugu as a core critical tiger habitat would be a major boost for tiger conservation in India. It would also help to protect the sanctuary’s rich biodiversity.