Indravati Tiger Reserve UPSC

Indravati Tiger Reserve is a renowned wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve located in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is one of the largest tiger reserves in India and named after the Indravati River.

Indravati Tiger Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to various species of flora and fauna. It is particularly famous for its population of Royal Bengal Tigers.

Indravati Tiger Reserve is home to one of the last remaining populations of the endangered Wild Water Buffalo. The wild buffalos are found in grassy areas in Pilloor, Gandapuri and in the northwest corner of the Indravati Tiger Reserve.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Corridor
River
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptiles

UPSC Questions

Indravati Tiger Reserve Location

Indravati Tiger Reserve is located in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, India. It is situated in the southern part of the state, near the border with the state of Maharashtra.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Indravati Tiger Reserve is the Swami Vivekananda Airport, also known as Raipur Airport. It is located in Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. The airport is approximately 480 kilometers away from the reserve.

Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest railway station to Indravati Tiger Reserve is Jagdalpur Railway Station. Jagdalpur is a city in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, and the railway station is approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) away from the reserve.

Indravati Tiger Reserve History

The history of Indravati Tiger Reserve dates back to its establishment as a wildlife sanctuary and subsequent declaration as a tiger reserve. Here is a brief overview of its history:

1. Formation as a Wildlife Sanctuary: Indravati Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1981 under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972. The sanctuary was named after the Indravati River, which flows through the region.

2. Declaration as a Tiger Reserve: In 1983, Indravati Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a tiger reserve, primarily to protect the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tigers.

Indravati Tiger Reserve Area

Indravati Tiger Reserve covers an approximate area of 2,799 square kilometers.

Core / critical tiger habitat : 1258.37 sq.km.
Buffer / peripheral area : 1540.70 sq.km.
Total : 2799.07 sq.km.

Corridor

The Indravati Tiger Reserve is part of a larger landscape that includes Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Pamed Wildlife Sanctuaries. This combined area forms the Indravati landscape, which is significant for conservation efforts in the region.

In terms of connectivity, Indravati Tiger Reserve has linkages with several other tiger reserves. These include:

Kawal Tiger Reserve (Telangana): Indravati Tiger Reserve shares connectivity with Kawal Tiger Reserve, located in Telangana. These linkages provide potential corridors for wildlife movement and genetic exchange between the two reserves.

Tadoba Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra): There is connectivity between Indravati Tiger Reserve and Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. This allows for the movement of wildlife between the two reserves, contributing to their overall ecological connectivity.

Kanha Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh): Indravati Tiger Reserve also has linkages with Kanha Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh. These linkages facilitate the movement of wildlife, including tigers, between the two reserves.

Apart from the connections with other tiger reserves, the linkages of Indravati Tiger Reserve with other forest divisions within Chhattisgarh, such as Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Kanker, are also important. These linkages allow for wildlife movement across different forested areas, enhancing the overall connectivity and ecological integrity of the landscape.

Indravati Tiger Reserve River

Indravati Tiger Reserve is named after the Indravati River, which flows through the region. The river holds great significance for the reserve, providing water and supporting the diverse ecosystems within its boundaries. Indravati river forms the boundary of the Indravati Tiger Reserve on the Northern and Western side.

The Indravati River is a major tributary of the Godavari River, one of the largest rivers in India. It originates in the Kalahandi district of Odisha and flows through the southern part of Chhattisgarh, passing through the Indravati Tiger Reserve. The river then continues its course through the Bastar district before eventually joining the Godavari River in Maharashtra.

Indravati Tiger Reserve Flora

The Indravati Tiger Reserve is known for its rich and diverse flora. It is home to a wide variety of plant species, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses.

The following forest types are present in the tiger reserve:

Trees:

Sal (Shorea robusta)
Teak (Tectona grandis)
Bamboo (Various species, including Dendrocalamus strictus)
Mahua (Madhuca longifolia)
Semal (Bombax ceiba)
Harra (Terminalia chebula)
Arjun (Terminalia arjuna)
Palas (Butea monosperma)
Anjan (Hardwickia binata)
Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)
Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma)

Shrubs:

Lantana (Lantana camara)
Indian Laburnum (Cassia fistula)
Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
Indian Coral Tree (Erythrina variegata)
Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa)
Jungle Jalebi (Pithecellobium dulce)

Herbs and Grasses:

Apluda mutica
Aristida setacea
Cymbopogon spp. (Lemongrass)
Imperata cylindrical (Cogon grass)
Heteropogon contortus
Digera arvensis (Bhurat)

Indravati Tiger Reserve Fauna (Indravati Tiger Reserve Animals)

The Indravati Tiger Reserve is renowned for its diverse and abundant wildlife. It is home to a wide range of fauna, including several endangered and critically endangered species. While it is not possible to list all the species found in the reserve, here are some notable examples of fauna that can be encountered:

Mammals:

Tiger
Wild Water Buffalo
Leopard
Striped Hyena
Wolf
Common Mongoose
Sloth Bear
Fox
Hare
Common Langur
Flying Squirrel
Chital
Sambar
Barking Deer
Nilgai
Wild Boar
Gaur

Birds:

White-necked Stork
Black-necked Stork
White Ibis
Black Ibis
Whistling Teals
Pintail Duck
Brahmny Duck
Kites
Crested Hawk Eagle
Fishing Eagle
Honey Buzzard
Vultures
Partridges
Quails
Common Grey Hornbill

Reptiles:

Freshwater Crocodile
Common Monitor Lizard
Chameleon
Common Krait
Cobra
Russell’s Viper