Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve in TN

In News-Recently,  Tamil Nadu state government has given its approval for the creation of a fifth tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu named Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR).

  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gave in-principle approval under Section 38 V(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 last month.
    • The last tiger reserve was notified six years ago in Arunachal Pradesh, Kamlang.

About

  • It will encompass the Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries.
  • The new tiger reserve will lead to wildlife protection of the country’s flagship species and will also result in the rejuvenation of the Vaigai river by protecting the river’s origins in these forests.
    • Vaigai is a lifeline for five districts and provides drinking water to nearly one crore people.
  • It will give a boost to tiger conservation in the State.
  • Tigers from the neighbouring Periyar Tiger Reserve and Anamalai Tiger Reserve regions can find significant habitats and breed in the terrains of Megamalai and Srivilliputhur which are largely uninhabited” and could “offer excellent genetic exchange grounds”

Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries.

  • The Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across the districts of Theni and Madurai (Highways mountains and Cardamom Hills) while the Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary lies along with Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve
    • Srivilluputhur,hosts leopards, Nilgiri tahrs, lion-tailed macaques, jungle cats and sambars.

 

About Project Tiger:

  • It is one of the major projects launched for the protection and conservation of tigers in India.
  • It was started in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves. Presently, there are 50 tiger reserves in India.
  • Aim: To aid and facilitate the breeding of tigers within a safe environment and then transport these tigers further afield so that the world’s population can be increased.
  • It works under the administrative control of the National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA).

 

National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA).

  •  NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
  • It is constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • It established the Tiger Protection Force with the aim of seizing the poachers and stopping the illegal killings of tigers.

Source :TH