Lone Tiger Returns to Papikonda National Park UPSC

PAPIKONDA NATIONAL PARK

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Picture Courtesy: https://riderdream.com/papikonda-national-park/

Context: The return of the lone male tiger to its natural habitat in Papikonda National Park (PNP) is a positive development for both the tiger and the local community.

Papikonda National Park

Established in 1992, Papikonda National Park is located in the Eastern Ghats mountain range in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
It was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
The Godavari River flows through the park, carving its way through the landscape and creating stunning islands and sandbanks.
The park is also home to several waterfalls, including the Injarla and Muniyeru waterfalls.
The forests are dominated by dry deciduous trees, such as teak, neem, and sal.
Home to over 800 species of plants, including rare medicinal herbs and endangered species like Red Sanders and Rosewood.
Notable fauna include tigers, leopards, sloth bears, elephants, gaur, sambars, spotted deer, pangolins, and a variety of birds like hornbills, kingfishers, and owls.
Home to several indigenous communities, such as the Gond, Bhili, Koyas and Sugalis, the traditional knowledge and practices of these communities contribute significantly to conservation efforts.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements are correct about Papikonda National Park?

1. It is primarily a dry deciduous forest with teak and bamboo.

2. It is home to the highest number of tiger species in India.

3. It is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

4. The Godavari River flows through the park, creating islands.

Select the correct code:

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) Only three

D) All four

Answer: C

Explanation:

1. It is primarily a dry deciduous forest with teak and bamboo. This statement is correct. Papikonda National Park is indeed dominated by dry deciduous forests, with teak and bamboo being common species.

2. It is home to the highest number of tiger species in India. This statement is incorrect. While Papikonda does have tigers, it's not known for having the highest number in the country. The highest number of tigers in India is in Jim Corbett National Park located in Uttarakhand.

3. It is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). This statement is correct. Papikonda National Park is recognized as an IBA due to its diverse birdlife, including over 200 species.

4. The Godavari River flows through the park, creating islands. This statement is correct. The mighty Godavari River is a defining feature of the park, carving its way through the landscape and creating stunning islands and sandbanks.

Therefore, only statements 1, 3, and 4 are accurate descriptions of Papikonda National Park. Statement 2 about the highest tiger population is incorrect.