Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), Melanism in Tigers
Mains level: NA
In the news
- The Odisha government’s estimation of the tiger population in its forests has been reported to be 30 Royal Bengal Tigers, while the All India Tiger Estimation-2022 report has found only 20 tigers present.
About All Odisha Tiger Estimation:
- The State tiger census was conducted by the State Forest Department.
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- According to the census, the State has 30 Tigers out of which Similipal Tiger Reserve recorded 27 tigers in the wild.
- The remaining three belong to Hirakud wildlife division (Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary), Paralakhemundi territorial division and Keonjhar territorial and wildlife division.
- Methodology: The census was conducted using camera-trapping exercises.
About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)
- Concerned over the sizeable number of pseudo-melanistic tigers in its Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), largely due to inbreeding, the Odisha government has written to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to consider introducing female tigers from other landscapes to the reserve.
| Details | |
| Location and Size | Located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj District, spanning 2750 sq km.
Surrounded by high plateaus and hills; Khairiburu and Meghashini peaks reach 1515 m. |
| History | Initially a hunting ground, designated as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973,
Later declared a wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve. |
| Flora and Fauna | Rich biodiversity includes tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, diverse bird species, King cobras, orchids, and medicinal plants. |
| Tribes | Inhabited by tribes like Kolha, with traditional conservation practices. |
| UNESCO Recognition | UNESCO listed it as a Biosphere Reserve in May 2009 due to its ecological significance. |
| Recent Events | A significant fire in 2021 posed a threat to the reserve’s biodiversity, highlighting ongoing conservation challenges. |
| Global Recognition | Recognized as a Global Network of Biospheres site since 2009. |
Melanism in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)
- Genetic Anomaly: Melanism, a genetic condition, results in increased melanin production, leading to black or nearly black skin, feathers, or hair in animals.
- Pseudo-Melanism: The royal Bengal tigers of Similipal boast a unique lineage with elevated melanin levels, resulting in black and yellow interspersed stripes on their coats, making them pseudo-melanistic rather than entirely black.
- Genetic Mutation: Research indicates that a single mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene causes Similipal’s black tigers to develop distinctive striped patterns.
- Inbreeding and Isolation: Genetic analyses suggest that Similipal’s black tigers may have originated from a small founding population, leading to inbreeding due to isolation from other tiger populations.
What are the Population Dynamics and Conservation Efforts made by Odisha Govt?
- High Frequency: Approximately 37% of tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserve exhibit pseudo-melanistic traits, highlighting the prevalence of this unique phenotype.
- Conservation Measures: Odisha plans to establish a melanistic tiger safari near Similipal, aiming to raise awareness about tiger conservation and provide visitors with an opportunity to observe these rare big cats up close.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
(d) Sunderbans
Post your answers here.
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