Melghat Tiger Reserve UPSC

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located in the state of Maharashtra, India. The reserve is named after the Melghat Hills, which are part of the Satpura Mountain Range.

Melghat Tiger Reserve was established with the primary objective of conserving the Bengal tiger population.

The reserve also serves as a vital watershed for the Tapti River and provides water to several villages and towns downstream.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Hills
River
Tribe
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptile

UPSC Questions

Melghat Tiger Reserve Location

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in the Amravati district of Maharashtra, India. It is situated in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, close to the border with Madhya Pradesh. The nearest major city to the reserve is Amravati, which is around 80 kilometers away.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to the Melghat Tiger Reserve is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is the largest airport in the region and is well-connected with major cities in India. The distance between the airport and the reserve is approximately 240 kilometers.

Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest railway station to the Melghat Tiger Reserve is the Badnera Junction Railway Station, also known as Amravati Railway Station. It is located in Amravati city, which is the headquarters of the Amravati district in Maharashtra. The railway station is approximately 90 kilometers away from the Melghat Tiger Reserve.

Melghat Tiger Reserve History

1. Reserved Forest: The history of the Melghat Tiger Reserve dates back to the early 20th century when it was initially declared as a reserved forest.

2. Recognition: In the 1970s, the Government of Maharashtra recognized the ecological significance of the area and initiated steps to conserve its biodiversity.

3. Wildlife Sanctuary: In 1973, the Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary was established, primarily to protect the endangered species like the Bengal tiger.

4. National Park Formation: In 1974, Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger initiative, which was launched by the Government of India to protect and conserve the endangered Bengal tigers.

Melghat Tiger Reserve is among the first 9 places in the country designated as tiger reserves in 1973-74. It was the first Tiger Reserve to be declared in the State of Maharashtra.

Melghat Tiger Reserve Area

The Melghat Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 2,768 square kilometers. This includes both the core/critical tiger habitat and the buffer/peripheral area. The core/critical tiger habitat encompasses around 1,500.49 square kilometers, while the buffer/peripheral area spans approximately 1,268.03 square kilometers. Together, they make up the total area of the Melghat Tiger Reserve.

Core/ Critical Tiger habitat : 1500.49 Sq.km
Buffer/ Peripheral area : 1268.03 Sq.km.
Total : 2768.52 Sq.km.

The Melghat Tiger Reserve area includes Gugamal National Park, Wan Wildlife Sanctuary, Ambabarwa Wildlife Sanctuary, and Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary within its boundaries.

Melghat Tiger Reserve Hills

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is situated in the Satpura-Maikal landscape and is known for its hilly terrain. The reserve is located on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in Central India. It encompasses several hills and ridges, which add to the scenic beauty and ecological significance of the region.

One prominent hill in the Melghat Tiger Reserve is the Gawilgarh Hill. It forms a part of the reserve's boundary and is known for its strategic location and historical significance. Gawilgarh Fort, situated on this hill, offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Melghat Tiger Reserve River

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is blessed with several rivers and water bodies that enhance its ecological diversity and provide vital resources to the flora and fauna within the reserve. The main rivers flowing through or adjacent to the Melghat Tiger Reserve include:

(1) Tapti River:

The Tapti River is one of the major rivers in Central India and flows through the northern boundary of the Melghat Tiger Reserve. It serves as a lifeline for the region, providing water for both wildlife and human communities downstream.

(2) Sipna River:

The Sipna River, a tributary of the Tapti River, also flows through the Melghat Tiger Reserve. It originates in the Satpura Hills and joins the Tapti River near the reserve, enriching the biodiversity and supporting the local ecosystems.

(3) Dolar River:

The Dolar River, a tributary of the Tapti River, is another important river that passes through the Melghat Tiger Reserve. It originates in the neighboring hills and traverses through the reserve, contributing to the water resources and ecosystem of the region.

(4) Khandu River:

Khandu River flow through Melghat Tiger Reserve. It is a tributary of Tapti river.

(5) Khapra River:

Khapra River flow through Melghat Tiger Reserve. It is a tributary of Tapti river.

(6) Gadga River:

Khapra River flow through Melghat Tiger Reserve. It is a tributary of Tapti river.

Melghat Tiger Reserve Tribe

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is home to several indigenous tribal communities. The major tribal communities found in and around the Melghat Tiger Reserve include:

Korku Tribe
Gond Tribe
Bhil Tribe

Melghat Tiger Reserve Flora

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is characterized by a Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest ecosystem. Teak (Tectona grandis) is indeed one of the dominant tree species found in the reserve. However, there is also a rich variety of other plant species that contribute to the diverse flora within the reserve. Some of these plant species include:

Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium)
Haldu (Adina cordifolia)
Saja (Terminalia tomentosa)
Dhawda (Anogeissus latifolia)
Ain (Terminalia alata)
Moha (Madhuca longifolia)
Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon)
Achar (Buchanania lanzan)
Amla (Emblica officinalis)
Behada (Terminalia bellerica)
Bhilwa (Semecarpus anacardium)
Bor (Ziziphus mauritiana)
Mango (Mangifera indica)
Khair (Acacia catechu)
Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
Apta (Bauhinia racemosa)
Bel (Aegle marmelos)
Kulu (Sterculia urens)

Melghat Tiger Reserve Fauna (Melghat Tiger Reserve Animals)

Which animals are in the Melghat Tiger Reserve?

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and diverse fauna. It is home to a wide range of animal species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Here are some of the notable fauna found in the reserve:

Mammals:

Tiger
Panther
Jungle Cat
Hyena
Jackal
Fox
Wild Dog
Sloth Bear
Ratel
Wild Pig
Hare
Porcupine
Mongoose
Otter
Sambar
Chital
Gaur
Barking Deer
Blue Bull (Nilgai)
Four Horned Antelope
Common Langur
Rhesus Macaque

Birds:

Malabar Grey Hornbill
Paradise Flycatcher
Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Hawk Eagle
Indian Pitta

Reptiles:

Indian Rock Python
Indian Cobra
Common Krait
Russell’s Viper