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RATAPANI SANTUARY

24th June, 2023

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Context

  • The dead body of male tiger was found in Karamai Gauharganj beat authority said.
  • It was a two-and-a-half years old tiger which suffered injuries and succumbed to them.
  • The exact cause of death is not yet known and will be determined after post mortem report.
  • However preliminary cause of death is believed to be a territorial conflict with another tiger while searching for water.

Ratapani Wild life sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

  • Located in Madhya Pradesh, it is spread across an area of 907.71 sq. km in Vindyan hills.
  • It is located near Bhopal, under the Obaidullaganj forest division in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It known for its population of approximately 12 to 15 dominant tigers, it was first notified in the year 1976.
  • It includes various types of landscape for instance caves, cliffs, dam, ponds, boulder region
  • Narmada River runs parallel to this sanctuary.

Important Places in the Sanctuary

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
  • Ginnourgarh Fort
  • POW camp
  • Keri Mahadeo
  • Ratapani dam
  • Jholiyapur dam

Concerns for conservation

  • In 2008, Ratapani wildlife sanctuary got initial approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority to be declared as Tiger reserve.
  • Also in the beginning of 2022, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved Ratapani to be notified as a tiger reserve.
  • However it is far from implementation and this wildlife sanctuary is not yet officially declared as a tiger reserve.
    • It is mainly due to population pressure in this area and impact on business activities like mining.
  • Delay in granting status of tiger reserve is raising concerns among environmental activists and leading to half-hearted efforts of conserving tigers.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

  • Main type of forests are various kinds of tropical dry deciduous forest and moist deciduous type.
  • Teak, Tectona grandis, is the main tree species covering more than 50% area of sanctuary.
  • It also has Bamboo forest, Saja Forest.
  • Other type of flora include Chandan, Sal, Dhaora, Tendu, Arjun, Amla, Palas, Salai, Mango, Jamun, Banyan, Ber, Dhok, Jamun, Kadam, Khajur, Khair and grasses.

Fauna

  • Many species of mammals like Sloth Bears, fish, reptiles, butterflies and amphibians are found in the wild life sanctuary.
  • Apart from Tigers it has variety of wildlife which includes
    • Carnivores - Leopards, Wild Dogs, Hyaenas, Jackals and Foxs etc.
    • Herbivores - Spotted Deer, Blue Bull, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Chinkara, Black Buck and Monkeys.
    • Birds – various migratory birds, Paradise Flycatcher (state bird of Madhya Pradesh), Oriental White-Backed Vulture, Long-Billed Vulture, Red-Headed Vulture, Sarus Crane, Black-Necked Stork etc.

Must read Article:

Wild life Sanctuary

https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/glimpse-of-national-parks-wildlife-sanctuaries-in-assam

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/amchang-wildlife-sanctuary

Tiger reserves

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/dudhwa-tiger-reserve

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/tiger-reserves-in-india

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements about Ratapani Wild life sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh:

1. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2022 under approval from NTCA.

2. This sanctuary consists of temperate evergreen type of forests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (D)

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/tiger-found-dead-in-madhya-pradeshs-ratapani-sanctuary/articleshow/101198543.cms?from=mdr