Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve Tiger Translocation Update

Rising Conservation Focus

Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve Tiger Translocation Update: India has taken a major step in wildlife conservation with the planned relocation of a tigress from Pench Tiger Reserve to the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Rajasthan. This marks the state’s first interstate tiger movement and the country’s second such initiative. The effort strengthens long-term ecological restoration in one of India’s youngest tiger reserves.

Understanding Ramgarh Vishdhari

RVTR is located in Rajasthan’s Bundi district and spans 1,501.89 sq km, including a core zone of 481.90 sq km and a buffer spread of 1,019.98 sq km. It was notified as India’s 52nd tiger reserve in May 2022. The reserve functions as a vital corridor linking Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, enabling natural tiger dispersal.
Static GK fact: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was established in 1980 and is one of India’s oldest tiger habitats.

Landscape and Rivers

The Mez River, a tributary of the Chambal, flows across RVTR and enriches its terrain. The reserve features Aravalli–Vindhyan hill systems, rocky gradients, open valleys, and plateau forests. This diverse topography creates favourable microhabitats for large carnivores and prey species.
Static GK Tip: The Chambal River originates in the Vindhya Range near Indore.

Flora of the Region

The vegetation primarily consists of dry deciduous forests. The dominant species is Dhok (Anogeissus pendula), commonly found across Rajasthan’s forest belts. The forest also hosts Khair, Ronj, Amaltas, Saler, and medicinal herbs.
Static GK fact: Dry deciduous forests occupy nearly 40% of India’s forest cover.

Rich Faunal Diversity

RVTR supports species like leopard, sloth bear, golden jackal, jungle cat, hyaena, porcupine, Indian hedgehog, and primates including rhesus macaques and langurs. These species confirm the ecological potential of RVTR to sustain a growing tiger population.

Why the Tigress Is Being Translocated

As a young reserve, RVTR requires initial population support to strengthen genetic diversity and stabilize predator–prey balance. The relocation aims to establish a breeding nucleus in RVTR and enhance ecological resilience. The tigress will be airlifted over nearly 800 km, reflecting advanced wildlife management measures under Project Tiger.
Static GK Tip: Project Tiger was launched in 1973 by the Government of India.

Pench Tiger Reserve Overview

Pench Tiger Reserve, located in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, Pench Mowgli Sanctuary, and a buffer zone. The forests inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, giving the reserve global recognition.

Ecology of Pench

Pench’s landscape ranges from thick teak forests to open woodland. Flora includes teak, saag, mahua, and dense shrubs. The reserve supports apex predators like tiger, leopard, wild dogs, and wolf. Large herbivores such as chital, sambar, nilgai, and gaur strengthen prey availability. Over 325 bird species including the Malabar Pied Hornbill and Indian Pitta thrive here.
Static GK fact: Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in India.

National Significance of This Relocation

The relocation helps strengthen new tiger landscapes, spread tiger density across states, and promote ecological connectivity between major reserves. For Rajasthan, it marks a crucial milestone in expanding its wildlife conservation footprint and contributes to India’s broader biodiversity goals.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve Tiger Translocation Update: