Nameri Tiger Reserve UPSC

Nameri Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve located in the state of Assam, India. It is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and covers an area of about 200 square kilometers. The reserve is named after the Nameri River, which flows through it.

Nameri Tiger Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to several endangered and endemic species. The reserve is particularly famous for its population of Bengal tigers.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
River
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptile

UPSC Questions

Nameri Tiger Reserve Location

Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in the Sonitpur district of the state of Assam in northeastern India. It is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, near the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

The reserve is approximately 35 kilometers from the town of Tezpur and around 200 kilometers from the city of Guwahati, which is the largest city in Assam.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Nameri Tiger Reserve is Salonibari Airport, also known as Tezpur Airport. It is located in Tezpur, which is approximately 35 kilometers away from the reserve.

Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest railway station to Nameri Tiger Reserve is Rangapara North Railway Station, located in Rangapara town. It is approximately 38 kilometers away from the reserve. Rangapara North Railway Station is well-connected to major cities and towns in India, including Guwahati and Kolkata.

Nameri Tiger Reserve History

The history of Nameri Tiger Reserve dates back to the early 20th century when it was established as a forest reserve. Here is a brief overview of the history of Nameri Tiger Reserve:

1. Early Conservation Efforts: The area that encompasses Nameri Tiger Reserve was initially designated as the Sonitpur Reserve Forest in 1905. The region was recognized for its rich biodiversity and pristine forests, prompting the need for conservation efforts.

2. Conversion into a Wildlife Sanctuary: In 1978, a portion of the Sonitpur Reserve Forest was declared as the Nameri Wildlife Sanctuary with the objective of protecting the diverse flora and fauna found in the region. The sanctuary covered an area of approximately 137 square kilometers.

3. Tiger Reserve Status: Recognizing the significance of Nameri as a habitat for Bengal tigers, the Government of India declared Nameri Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve in 1999-2000. This decision aimed to provide stronger protection to the tiger population and their habitat.

4. Inclusion in the Eastern Himalayas Biodiversity Hotspot: The Eastern Himalayas, including Nameri Tiger Reserve, is designated as a global biodiversity hotspot due to its remarkable ecological importance. The region is recognized for its high species diversity, including many endemic and threatened species.

Nameri Tiger Reserve Area

Nameri Tiger Reserve covers an approximate area of 344 square kilometers. The Nameri National Park constitutes the core of Nameri Tiger Reserve Area.

Core/critical tiger habitat: 200 sq.km.
Buffer/periphera area: 144 sq.km.
Total: 344 sq.km.

Core/Critical Tiger Habitat: The core area of Nameri Tiger Reserve, which is designated as the critical tiger habitat, covers an area of 200 square kilometers. This area is specifically focused on providing a protected environment for the Bengal tiger population.

Buffer/Periphery Area: The buffer or periphery area of Nameri Tiger Reserve encompasses an additional 144 square kilometers. This zone acts as a transition area between the core area and the surrounding human-dominated landscapes. The buffer zone is intended to provide a buffer for the wildlife and habitat and helps in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts.

Nameri Tiger Reserve River

The Nameri Tiger Reserve is traversed by the Jia-Bhoroli River, which is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. Additionally, the reserve is also home to several tributaries of the Jia-Bhoroli River, including the Nameri River, Upper Dikorai River, and Bor Dikorai River.

These rivers and their tributaries play a vital role in shaping the landscape and ecology of the Nameri Tiger Reserve. They provide a constant water supply to the region, supporting diverse aquatic habitats and sustaining the rich biodiversity of the area.

Note- The Nameri Tiger Reserve is one of the important conservation areas on the north bank landscape of the River Brahmaputra.

Nameri Tiger Reserve Flora

Nameri Tiger Reserve is characterized by a diverse range of flora, consisting of various forest types and vegetation communities. Here are the main forest types and vegetation found within the reserve:

(1) Assam Valley Tropical Evergreen Forests:

These forests are characterized by dense canopies, with tall trees forming a continuous cover. They consist of evergreen tree species that provide shade and maintain a relatively stable microclimate.

(2) Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen Forests:

These forests are found in areas with lighter alluvial soils. They consist of a mix of evergreen and deciduous tree species, with a slightly open canopy. These forests are influenced by the proximity to the Himalayan foothills.

(3) Eastern Alluvial Secondary Semi-Evergreen Forests:

These forests occur in areas with alluvial soils along riverbanks. They consist of a mix of both evergreen and deciduous tree species and are characterized by a moderate canopy cover.

(4) Cane Brakes:

Cane brakes are areas dominated by bamboo thickets, forming dense patches within the forest. They provide important habitat and food sources for various wildlife species.

(5) Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland:

These are open woodland areas with scattered trees, grasses, and shrubs. They occur in low-lying areas with alluvial soils and are prone to flooding during the monsoon season.

(6) Eastern Hollock Forests:

Hollock forests are dominated by the species Terminalia myriocarpa, commonly known as Hollock trees. These forests provide important habitats for a variety of wildlife.

(7) Eastern Seasonal Swamp Forests:

These forests are found in areas with seasonal waterlogging. They consist of tree species adapted to wet conditions and are home to a diverse range of aquatic and semi-aquatic flora and fauna.

(8) Eastern Dillenia Swamp Forests:

Dillenia swamp forests are characterized by the presence of Dillenia indica, a tree species with large, showy flowers. These forests occur in swampy areas and support unique plant and animal communities.

(9) Eastern Wet Alluvial Grassland:

These are open grassland areas located in wet alluvial zones. They consist of grasses and herbaceous plants that thrive in periodically flooded conditions.

Nameri Tiger Reserve Fauna (Nameri Tiger Reserve Animals)

Nameri Tiger Reserve is known for its rich and diverse fauna. The reserve is home to numerous species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Here are some of the notable fauna found in Nameri Tiger Reserve:

Mammals:

Royal Bengal Tiger
Leopard
Clouded Leopard
Wild Dog
Asian Elephant
Gaur
Sambar
Hog Deer
Barking Deer
Sloth Bear
Wild Boar
Large Indian Civet Cat
Small Indian Civet Cat
Himalayan Crestless Porcupine
Yellow Throated Marten
Leopard Cat
Common Otter
Black Giant Squirrel
Indian Mongoose
Large Clawed Shrew
Indian Flying Fox
Slow Loris
Assameese Macaque
Rhesus Macaque

Birds:

White Winged Wood Duck
Great Hornbill
Green Cochoa
Ibisbill
Common Merganser
Long-tailed broadbill
Rufous-necked Hornbill
Pallash Fish Eagle
Greater Spotted Eagle
Lesser Adjutant Stork
Jerdon’s Babbler
Whitecheeked Patridge
Black-bellied Tern
White-tailed Eagle
Lesser Fish Eagle
Red-headed Vulture
White-rumped Vulture
Slender Billed Vulture

Note- Nameri Tiger Reserve is famous for the White Winged Wood Duck.

Reptiles:

Assam Roofed Turtle
King Cobra
Indian Rock Python
Common Krait
Bengal Monitor Lizard
Indian Chameleon
Many-scaled Worm Snake

Fish:

Golden Masher
Rou
Kandhuli
Bhakua
Bato
Lasim
Ari
Borali
Xinghi
Magur
Xol
Goroi
Kawoi
Kholihiona