Why in the News?

The Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) of Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) in Rajasthan is set to expand by approximately 4,500 hectares.

What is Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH)?

CTHs are designated under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972, to conserve tiger populations, keeping areas inviolate for tiger conservation.
The core areas of tiger reserves, where human activities are prohibited, serve as Critical Tiger Habitats.
Surrounding buffer zones allow sustainable human activities like eco-tourism and regulated resource use, supporting conservation efforts.
These areas are scientifically identified based on studies of tiger movement, breeding patterns, and environmental needs, ensuring long-term survival and ecological balance.
Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers’ rights are respected within the legal framework, making conservation inclusive.
The largest critical tiger habitat in India is the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) spanning 5937 square kilometers.

STR is located in Alwar district, Rajasthan, about 107 km from Jaipur, and is one of India’s most important tiger reserves.
Initially a royal hunting preserve, it became a sanctuary in 1955 and upgraded to a national park in 1979.
STR was one of the first tiger reserves under the Project Tiger initiative.
In 2008, after the tiger population was wiped out due to poaching and human encroachment, tigers were successfully relocated to the reserve, marking a world-first for tiger reintroduction.
Flora: STR has semi-deciduous forests, grasslands, rocky landscapes, and cliffs. The park is primarily dominated by dhok trees, covering around 90% of the area, alongside other species like salar, kadaya, and gol trees.
Fauna: The reserve is home to species like tigers, leopards, sambhar deer, nilgai, wild boars, rhesus macaques, and hyenas.
Ruparel River flows through STR, contributing to its ecological richness by supporting wildlife and plant species.

[UPSC 2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Options: (a) Corbett (b) Ranthambore (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam* (d) Sunderbans