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Protected Areas in News

National Parks in News ...... Shoolpaneswar...... (Dhum- khal)...... Sanctuary ...... 3 ...... 11 About ...... Point ...... Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary...... 3 ...... 11 National Park ...... Reserves...... in News...... 3 ...... 13 ...... About...... 3 ...... 14 ...... ...... 3 ...... 14 Dibru-Saikhowa National Park ...... ...... tiger reserve ...... 4 ...... 14 Guru Ghasidas National Park ...... Nagarjunasagar...... Srisailam Tiger...... Reserve (NSTR) ...... 4 ...... 15 ...... Panna...... Tiger Reserve ...... 4 ...... 15 ...... ...... tiger reserve ...... 4 ...... 15 and Tiger Reserve ...... Amrabad...... Tiger Reserve...... 5 ...... 15 and Wildlife Sanctuary ...... Mudumalai Tiger Reserve...... 7 ...... 15 Bhitarkanika National Park ...... Kawal...... Tiger Reserve ...... 7 ...... 16 Kanha National park and Tiger Reserve ...... ...... 7 ...... 16 Mount Harriet National Park ...... Satkosia...... Tiger Reserve...... 7 ...... 16 ...... Ranthambore...... Tiger Reserve...... 7 ...... 16 ...... Valmiki...... Tiger Reserve: ...... 8 ...... 16 Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, National Park, Wildlife : ...... 17 Sanctuary ...... Dudhwa Tiger...... Reserve ...... 8 ...... 17 Wildlife Sanctuaries in News ...... Others ...... 9 ...... 18 About ...... Thattekkad...... Sanctuary...... 9 ...... 18 National Chambal Sanctuary ...... Sharavathi...... Monkey Park ...... 9 ...... 18 Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) ...... Bhagirathi Eco-...... Sensitive Zone ...... 9 ...... 18 Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary...... Tillari Conservation...... Reserve ...... 9 ...... 18 HP wild life sanctuary ...... Papum...... Reserve ...... 9 ...... 19 Dehing Wildlife Sanctuary ...... Nandankanan...... Zoological Park (NZP)...... 10 ...... 19 Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary ...... Bannerghatta...... Biological Park ...... 10 ...... 19 Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary ...... ...... Bio-Diversity Park ...... 10 ...... 19 Netravali Sanctuary ...... 10 Ramsar Sites in News ...... 21 Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary ...... 10 About ...... 22 Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary ...... 11 Haiderpur wetland ...... 22 Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary ...... 11 Tso Kar Wetland Complex ...... 22 Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary ...... 11 Kabartal Wetland ...... 22 Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary ...... 11 Nandur Madhameshwar ...... 23

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Saman Bird Sanctuary (Mainpuri, UP) ...... Manas Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 23 ...... 29 (, UP) ...... Nokrek Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 23 ...... 29 (, UP) ...... Dihang- Dibang Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 23 ...... 29 (, UP) ...... Kanchenjunga...... Biosphere Reserve ...... 23 ...... 29 Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (UP) ...... Sundarban Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 23...... 30 Nawar Jheel (Etawah, UP) ...... Simlipal Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 24 ...... 30 Beas Conservation Reserve () ...... Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 24 ...... 30 Keshopur- Miani Community Reserve (Punjab)...... Panchmarhi...... Biosphere Reserve...... 24 ...... 30 Asan Conservation Reserve ...... Achanakmar...... - Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 24 ...... 30 ...... Panna Biosphere...... Reserve ...... 24 ...... 31 Biosphere Reserves ...... Seshachakam...... Biosphere...... Reserve...... 26 ...... 31 About ...... Nilgiri...... Biosphere Reserve ...... 27 ...... 31 Biosphere Reserve ...... Agasthamalai...... Biosphere Reserve...... 28 ...... 31 Cold Desert Biosphere Reserves ...... ...... Biosphere Reserve...... 28 ...... 32 Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve ...... Great Nicobar...... Biosphere Reserve ...... 29 ...... 32

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National Parks in News

About  An area, whether within a sanctuary or not, can be notified by the state government to be constituted as a National Park, by reason of its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, or zoological association or importance, needed to for the purpose of protecting & propagating or developing wildlife therein or its environment.  There are 101 existing national parks in covering an area of 40,564.00 km2, which is 1.23% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, December, 2019).  India's first national park was Hailey National Park, now Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936  What is allowed and what is not allowed inside National Parks: • Here, no human activity is allowed. • Grazing of livestock and private tenurial rights are not permitted here. • Species mentioned in the Schedules of the Wildlife Act are not allowed to be hunted or captured. • No person shall destroy, remove, or exploit any wildlife from a National Park or destroy or damage the habitat of any wild or deprive any wild animal of its habitat within a national park. • They cannot be downgraded to the status of a ‘sanctuary’.  Declaration of National Parks: • National parks can be declared both by the Central Government and State governments. No alteration of the boundaries of a national park shall be made except on a resolution passed by the State Legislature.

Kudremukh National Park  Recently, the administration has said that declaring areas within 1 km from the border of Kudremukh National Park as Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) will not affect the life of residents inside the identified areas.  It began its existence as a Reserved Forest in the year of 1916, and was declared as a National Park in the year of 1987.  Three important rivers i.e. the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have their origin in the park.  Fauna: There are highly dense rich in varieties of wild life like as tiger, , wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, sloth , , sambar, spotted , barking deer and the .  Ranges: The Park is divided into four ranges i.e. Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa and Shimoga.  The Kadambi Waterfalls lies in the Kudremukh National Park.

Nagarhole National Park  Recently, the Karnataka Forest Department has decided to put in place a traffic monitoring mechanism along the roads adjacent to Nagarahole National Park.  It is also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park.  It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and was upgraded into a national park in 1988. It was declared as the 37th Tiger reserve under in 1999.  The Park lies in the and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.  The Nagarahole River flows through the park, which joins the which also is a boundary between Nagarahole and .  Flora: The vegetation consists mainly of moist forests with predominating trees of and rosewood.  Fauna: Asian , (spotted deer), Indian mouse deer, gaur, stripe-necked and ruddy , grey langur, bonnet macaque, Asian wild dog, leopard, tiger, sloth bear among others.

Rajaji National Park  Recently, a clash took place between Van Gujjars and the forest officials in the Rajaji National Park.

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 Location: (Uttarakhand), along the foothills of the Shivalik range, spans 820 square kilometres.  This area is the North Western Limit of habitat of Asian elephants.  Forest types: include sal forests, riverine forests, broad–leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassy.  Species: It possesses as many as 23 species of and 315 bird species such as elephants, , , and ghorals, etc.  It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2015.  It is home to the Van Gujjars in the winters.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park  The Ministry of Environment, Forest and (MoEFCC) has given environmental clearance to Oil India to drill in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park from outside.  Dibru-Saikhowa is a National Park as well as a Biosphere Reserve.  It is situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in the extreme east of state in India.  The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru river in the south.  Vegetation: Moist mixed semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, canebrakes and . It is also the largest salix swamp forest in north-eastern India.  Famed for Ferral horses, a total 36 species of mammals and above 400 species of have so far been recorded from the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.  Fauna: 36 species of mammals have so far been recorded- Tiger, , Leopard, , , , Squirrels, Gangetic Dolphin, , Assamese Macague, Rhesus Macaque, Capped Langur, , Wild , Sambar, Barking Deer, , Feral Horses etc.

Guru Ghasidas National Park  state is set to have Guru Ghasidas National Park in Kotiya district as its fourth ‘tiger reserve’. The National Authority (NTCA) had approved to declare Guru Ghasidas National Park as a tiger reserve in 2014.  Emphasis was laid on increasing number of tigers in Chhattisgarh and their safety measures like radio collaring system for tiger safety as well as resettlement of more from Barnavapara Sanctuary to Guru GhasiDas National Park and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve.  Drafting of action plans for conservation of wild buffalo (wild animal of Chhattisgarh), hill myna (state bird of Chhattisgarh) and . At least 5 species of vultures are found in Achanakmar tiger reserve, Guru Ghasidas National Park and Mainpat in Surguja.  The decision was also taken to develop water sources for wild in the state’s forests, construction of large ponds in the forest villages and of fruits and vegetables especially Narwali vegetables, plantation of and banana so that these wild animals won’t have to wander here and there for food and fodder.

Madhav National Park  Located in .  It was named after Madho Rao , the Maharaja of belonging to the Scindia dynasty of the Marathas.  It is a combination of dry deciduous & dry thorn forests.  It makeshome for different variety of antelopes like , , and Deer, and carnivours such as leopard, wolf, jackal, , wild , etc.

Gorumara National Park  It is situated at the foothills of in in West .  Jaldhaka, a tributary of , flows beside the Gorumara National Park.  Gorumara was declared a reserve forest in 1895, a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 and a national park in 1994.  It is famous for its vast of one-horned .  The Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the northern side of Gorumara National Park.

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Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve  It is a national park in Assam.  Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan hotspots – and district.  Kaziranga was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006.  Kaziranga records 96 species of wetland birds  It hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned .  It is a World Heritage Site.  It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.  Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four' species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal and Asiatic water buffalo.  Kaziranga is crisscrossed by four main rivers — Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri.  Fauna: It is the home of the world's most one-horned rhinos. The park is home to large breeding of elephants, , and swamp deer. • Muchof the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four' species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.  Flora: Kaziranga is a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests, criss-crossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and the park includes numerous small bodies of water.

Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary  It is situated in the region of which was established in 1965.  It is part of the -Gir dry deciduous forests  The major perennial rivers are Datardi, Shingoda, Hiran, Shetrunji, Machhundri, Godavari and Raval.

Bhitarkanika National Park  According to official estimates, the population of the saltwater or estuarine has increased in the water bodies of ’s Bhitarkanika National Park to 1,757.  It is located in Kendrapara district of Odisha.  It is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala.  It is the second-largest in India, the first being Sundarbans ().  It has been designated as a Ramsar Site.  There are three species of crocodilians—saltwater, Mugger and .

Kanha National park and Tiger Reserve  It is located on the Maikal range of the Satpura hills, and is spread over and districts of Madhya Pradesh.  It is first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, Bhoorsingh the  The swamp deer is endemic to KNPTR.

Mount Harriet National Park  Location: It is located in the south of the Andaman and .  Mount Harriet: is the third-highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago next to Saddle Peak in North Andaman and Mount Thuillier in Great Nicobar. • The park is covered with evergreen forest pockets.  Flora and faunal species: Andaman wild pigs, saltwater , and palm trees.

Namdapha National Park

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 It lies at the international border between India and within in the state of .  It is only park in the World to have the four Feline species of namely the- Tiger ( Tigris), Leopard (Panthera Pardus), (Panthera Uncia), (NeofelisNebulosa).  Hoolock Gibbons, the only ‘ape’ species found in India is found in this National Park.

Sultanpur National Park  Situated in Gurgaon district of  It is a bird paradise for bird watchers. It is famous for its migratory as well as resident birds.  Mammals: , Nilgai, Hog deer, Sambar, Leopard etc.  Birds: Siberian Cranes, , Demoiselle Crane etc.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary  It lies on the north-western side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District.  It shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and .  Vegetation: tropical moist deciduous, tropical dry deciduous forest, tropical dry thorn forests are in the east  Major Fauna: , Bengal tiger, gaur, , , (Hanuman langur), bonnet macaque, sloth bear, , Indian , , red giant flying squirrel, etc  Avian Major Fauna: Indian white-rumped (CR) and India Vulture (CR).  Threats: Tourism and such as lantana.

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Wildlife Sanctuaries in News

About  Any area other than an area comprising any reserve forest or the territorial waters can be notified by the State Government to constitute as a sanctuary if such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural. or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.  Some restricted human activities are allowed inside the Sanctuary area details of which are given in CHAPTER IV, WPA 1972.  There are 553 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India covering an area of 119776.00 km2, which is 3.64 % of the geographical area of the country.  The difference between a Sanctuary and a National Park mainly lies in the vesting of rights of people living inside. Unlike a Sanctuary, where certain rights can be allowed, in a National Park, no rights are allowed. No grazing of any livestock is permitted inside a National Park while in a Sanctuary, the Chief Wildlife Warden may regulate, control or prohibit it.

National Chambal Sanctuary  National Chambal Sanctuary, also known as National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, was declared a national sanctuary in 1979 and sits across three states: Madhya Pradesh, and .  It was formed to protect the eco-system. It is home to naturally living population of 75% of gharial. The sanctuary also harbours national aquatic animal - the freshwater Gangetic dolphins, 9 species of freshwater turtles and more the 290 species of migratory birds.  National Chambal Sanctuary is the first and only tri-state riverine in India for breeding population of Gharial.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS)  Located in Kerala.  It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.  The ‘Status of Tigers in India’ report released last year had estimated the tiger population of Wayanad as between 75 and 80 individuals.  The sanctuary is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.  It is bounded by protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai of .

MalaiMahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary  The decks have been cleared to notify the MalaiMahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka’s district as a tiger reserve. The approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is expected any time now.  The sanctuary presently has about 20 tigers.  Once notified, will have the rare distinction in the country of having three tiger reserves. It already has Bandipur and Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve within its territorial limits.  Also, with this, Karnataka will have six tiger reserves, the others being Nagarahole, Bhadra, and Anshi-, apart from Bandipur and BRT Tiger Reserves.

HP wild life sanctuary  It is a feeding station for vultures in the Lake Wild Life sanctuary in of .

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 It has been set up as a part of state wildlife wing’s ongoing project to conserve the big scavenging bird in natural habitat, whose numbers showed a critical decline in the past decades in Indian sub-.  Measuring 100 meters x 100 meters with seven feet high fencing at an open space in Suknara near NagrotaSurian in Pong wetland, the ‘Vulture Restaurant’ provides deskinned carcasses to vultures.  There are seven species of vultures in the and 16 species in the that includes , , , , etc. Out of 16 in the old world, eight species (including Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon) have been reported in Kangra district also.

DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary  Assam government has decided to upgrade the DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park.  Also known as the Jeypore is a part of DehingPatkai Elephant Reserve.  Located in and Tinsukia districts, the 111.19 sq km DehingPatkai was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004.  It is home to 47 , 47 reptile, and 310 species.  It forms the largest stretch of lowland rainforest in the country.  Dehing is the name of the river that flows through this forest and Patkai is the hill at the foot of which the sanctuary lies.

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary  Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Western Ghats of Karnataka (Udupi &Shimoga districts).  The Western Ghats are on India’s World Heritage sites list.  It is named after the Someshwara temple located within the sanctuary.  The sanctuary is mostly made up of evergreen forests, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.  It is situated very close to the Kudremukh National Park.  Sitanadi river flows through the sanctuary.  Some are found viz; Tailed Macaque, Tiger, (wild dog)

Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary  An from Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary has been rescued by the forest officials.  Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in with a population of Asian elephants.  The sanctuary is covered by southern tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests.  Some of the important flora consists of Albiziaamara, Acacia, Lagerstroemia, Ficus, bamboo, and a species which is a regeneration of Santalum album.  Apart from Elephant, some of the animals found in the sanctuary are: sloth bear, panther, cheetal, chowsingha, sambar, , , jungle cat, jackal, jungle fowl, starred and slender loris.

Netravali Sanctuary  A was spotted in ’s Netravali Sanctuary.  Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in South Eastern Goa and constitutes one of the vital corridors of the Western Ghats.  It is bounded by Cotigao wildlife sanctuary on the eastern side and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park on the northern side.  Netravali or Neturli is an important tributary of River Zuari, which originates in the sanctuary.  Important waterfalls: namely, Savari and Mainapi.  Forests: mostly consist of moist deciduous vegetation interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitat.  Fauna: Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Ceylon Frogmouth.

Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary  It is located in Udaipur, Rajasthan.  The area was made a wildlife sanctuary in 1987.

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 Flora and Fauna: Animals like , panthers, , blue bulls (), jackals, wild boars, , and sambhar.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary  Too many are robbing the one-horned rhinos of Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, referred to as ‘Mini Kaziranga’ for similar features, of their nutritious food.  It is situated in the flood plains of River Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon.  It has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and second highest concentration in Assam after Kaziranga National Park. o It is often called ‘Mini Kaziranga’ due to similar landscape and vegetation.  In 1987, Pobitora was declared a wildlife sanctuary.  The wildlife sanctuary is home to endangered one-horned rhinoceros and the other mammals such as Leopard, , , Jungle cat, Feral Buffalo, Wild pigs, Chinese , etc.  It is an Important Bird Area and home for more than 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles.  About 72% of Pobitora Sanctuary consists of wet savannah of Arundo donax and Saccharum. The remaining area is covered by water bodies.  Water hyacinth (an invasive aquatic plant) is a major problem to the area especially to waterfowl, as it forms thick mats on the water surface.

Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary  Recently, it was added in the Ramsar List.  It is located in the Shiwalik foothills of Punjab which is highly eco-sensitive.  It occupies a human-made reservoir constructed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project on River in 1961.  The site is of historic importance as the Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” there in 1954.

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary  Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in the Murud and Roha talukas of Raigad district, .  It was created in 1986 to preserve some of the coastal woodland of the Western Ghats.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary  It is a wildlife sanctuary and estuary situated in Andhra Pradesh.  Flora: It hasextensive mangrove and dry deciduous tropical forest. It is the second largest stretch of mangrove forests in India.  Fauna: It is home to the critically endangered white-backed vulture and the long-billed vulture.  Its main wildlife attractions are Golden Jackal, Sea turtle, Fishing cat, Estuarine Crocodile, Small Blue Kingfisher, Cattle Egret.  Hope Island and Sacramento Island located in the mangrove region are two important nesting sites for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.

Shoolpaneswar (Dhum- khal) Wildlife Sanctuary  It is a protected area in Gujarat, in the western south of the .  It shares a common boundary with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.  The WLS is a part of the North Western Ghats moist deciduous forest eco- region. It encompasses mixed dry deciduous forest, riverine forest & few pockets of moist teak forest.  The River Tapti separates Shoolpaneswar WLS (north) from Purna WLS (south).  It is dominated by Rajpipla hills. Dhanmal is the highest peak in this region. The Zarwani waterfall is deep inside the sanctuary.

Point CalimereWildlife Sanctuary  It is located at the south-eastern tip of Nagapattinam District.

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 It was created for conservation of blackbuck (one of the four antelope species in India- Chinkara, Chausingha and Nilgai being the other three).  The sanctuary includes a part of the Great Vedaranyam swamp, Muthupet .

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Tiger Reserves in News

About  A protected area statutorily designated for the conservation of Tigers. These reserves are governed by Projecty Tiger and administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Tiger is India’s national animal & India is home to 80% of Tigers in the World. Tiger Reserves are spread across 18 states in India.  National Tiger Conservation Authority  It was established in December 2005 following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force which was constituted by the Prime Minister of India for reorganised management of Project Tiger and the many Tiger Reserves in India.  The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 was amended in 2006 to provide for its constitution.  It is responsible for implementation of the Project Tiger to protect endangered tigers.  It is set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Environment and Forests.  Functions:  Lay down normative standards, guidelines for tiger conservation in the Tiger Reserves, National Parks and Sanctuaries.  Provide information on protection measures.  Facilitate and support tiger reserve management in the States through eco-development and people’s participation.

Pakke tiger reserve  Arunachal Pradesh State government is planning to build a 692.7 km highway through the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in . Named the East-West Industrial Corridor, the highway aims to connect BhairabKunda in and Manmao in Changlang district along Arunachal Pradesh’s border with Assam.  Pakke Tiger Reserve is also known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve.  This Tiger Reserve has won India Biodiversity Award 2016 in the category of 'Conservation of threatened species' for its Nest Adoption Programme.  It is bounded by Bhareli or Kameng River in the west and north, and by Pakke River in the east.  Neighbours: Papum Reserve Forest in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam’s , Doimara Reserve Forest and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.  The main perennial streams in the area are the Nameri, Khari and Upper Dikorai. West of Kameng River is .

Melghat tiger reserve  Located in the Amaravati district of Maharashtra.  It is on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in , called Gavilgarh Hill.  The and the Gawilgadh ridge of the Satpura Range form the boundaries of the reserve.  It was declared a tiger reserve in 1974. It was among the first nine tiger reserves notified in 1973-74 under Project Tiger.  It was the first tiger reserve of Maharashtra.  The name 'Melghat' means the confluence of various 'ghats' or valleys as is typical from the landscape of this tiger Reserve.  Other prominent animals are Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Sambar deer, Leopard, Nilgais, etc.  The endangered and 'back from ' is also found in various areas of Melghat.

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 Flora: The forests are of deciduous nature and have been classified as ‘dry deciduous forests’. Most prominent is Teak.  Korku tribe: The Korku tribeadds to the cultural diversity of the Reserve.  Other Tiger Reserves in Maharashtra: Tadoba-Andhari; Pench; Sahyadri; Navegaon-; Bor

NagarjunasagarSrisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)  It is the largest Tiger Reserve in India.  The reserve spreads over five districts in Andhra Pradesh and .  The area consists mostly of the .  The cuts its basin almost 200 m (660 ft) deep over a distance of 130 km (81 mi) through the reserve.

Panna Tiger Reserve  Madhya Pradesh’s has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  The UNESCO’s recognition cited PTR as a critical tiger habitat.  The Panna tiger reserve is situated in the Vindhya mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.  (a tributary of the River) flows through the reserve.  The region is also famous for Panna diamond mining.  Ken- interlinking project will be located within the tiger reserve.

Pilibhit tiger reserve  (PTR) in Uttar Pradesh has bagged the first international award, TX2, among the 13 tiger ranging countries for having doubled the number of tigers in less than the stipulated time.  In 2014, All India Tiger Estimation had estimated 25 tigers in Pilibhit and 2018 estimation showed an increase by projecting 65 tigers.  It is located in Pilibhit district, and of Uttar Pradesh.  Its northern edge lies along the Indo- border while the southern boundary is marked by the river Sharada and Khakra.  It was declared a reserve in September 2008 on the basis of its special of ecosystem with vast open spaces and sufficient feed for the elegant predators and is India’s 45th Tiger Reserve Project.  According to a study by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) it has high conservation value as it represents the only tiger population with the ecological and behavioral adaptations of the tiger unique to the Tarai region.  Flora and Fauna: It is home to a habitat for over 127 animals, 326 bird species and 2,100 flowering plants.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve  A major forest fire was reported for a second time from the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Nagarkurnool district.  AmrabadTiger Reserve lies in Nallamala hills of Telangana.  It is India’ssecond-largest tiger reserve, next only to NagarjunasagarSrisailam Tiger Reserve (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).  It has a large presence of the Chenchu tribe.  It harbours great biodiversity, consisting of around 70 species of mammals, more than 300 hundred avian varieties, 60 species of reptiles and thousands of insects, all supported and nourished by more than 600 different plant species.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve  The 48-day rejuvenation camp for captive elephants was inaugurated at the elephant camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).  The and Wildlife Sanctuary also a declared tiger reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills in Nilgiri District, in Tamil Nadu, India.  It shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala.

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 It is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the West, Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) in the North, National Park and Silent in the South.  The sanctuary is divided into five ranges – Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.  The protected area is home to several endangered and vulnerable species including Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, Malabar Giant Squirrel, gaur and Indian leopard.  There are at least 266 species of birds in the sanctuary, including critically endangered Indian white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture.

Kawal Tiger Reserve  The Kawal Tiger reserve is increasingly getting threatened by growing human encroachment, rampant , illegal wood felling, and habitat loss.  Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in the northern part of Telangana.  The was established in 1965 and later declared as a Protected Area (PA) in 1999 under the Wildlife protection act (WPA), 1972.  The declared Kawal wildlife sanctuary as Tiger Reserve in 2012.  The Kawal Tiger Reserve is well known for its abundant flora and fauna.  The sanctuary is one of the richest teak forests in the state. Dry deciduous teak forests mixed with bamboo, terminalia, Pterocarpus, anogeisus, and cassias constitute the predominant flora of the region.  Mammal species that have been sighted include tiger, leopard, gaur, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, chowsingha, and sloth bear. Several species of birds and reptiles are also found in the sanctuary.

Sariska Tiger reserve  The Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh webinar featured a presentation and virtual tour of ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve.  It is situated in District of Rajasthan in lap of Aravali hills.  It got a status of wildlife reserve in year 1955 and in year 1978 it became Sariska Tiger Reserve.  The former reserve of the Maharaja of Alwar, the Sariska valley is home to a variety of flora and fauna.  Fauna:comprises Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, , Striped , Golden Jackal, Chital, Sambhar, Blue Bull, Chinkara and Four Horned antelope.  Flora:Dhok tree, Salar, Kadaya, Dhak, Gol, Ber, Khair, Bargad, Arjun, Gugal and Bamboo etc.  The place is a paradise for bird lovers as it shelters a large population of Indian , crested serpent eagles, sand grouse, golden-backed , great Indian horned , tree pies, vultures and many others.  It is the first reserve in the world with successfully relocated tigers. It is an important biodiversity area in the Northern Aravalli leopard and .

Satkosia Tiger Reserve  It comprises of two adjoining Sanctuaries of central Odisha named as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary.  Establishment These two sanctuaries together covering an area of 963 sq.km. have been notified as in 2007.  It is located in the of Odisha where the River passes through a 22 km long gorge in the mountains. The area is also a part of the Mahanadi elephant reserve.  Lying in a transitional zone extending between the Chhota Nagpur Plateau and the , the tiger reserve exhibits endemic life forms of both biotic provinces.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve  It lies in the eastern part of Rajasthan state, at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges.  It was established initially as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a national park in 1980.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve:

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 Gaur (Bos Gaurus) has returned to ’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) due to an increase in cover.  , Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the India-Nepal border in the of Bihar on the bank of river Gandak.  It is the only National park and Tiger Reserve of Bihar.

Kali Tiger Reserve:  It islocated in Karnataka.  It comprises two important protected areas of the region namely Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.  Moist deciduous and semi-evergreen with excellent patches of evergreen forests.  Animals found in the Tiger Reserve include Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Bison, Wild dog, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Hanuman langur, Bonnet macaque, varieties of reptiles and birds, etc.

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve  It is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh.  It shares the north-eastern boundary with Nepal, which is defined to a large extent by the Mohana River.  The area is a vast alluvial floodplain traversed by numerous rivers and streams flowing in south-easterly direction.  Flora: It is home to one of finest forests in India, some of these trees are more than 150 years old and over 70 ft tall.  Fauna: Apart from tigers (estimated 106–118), it is also home to swamp deer, sambar deer, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, , sloth bear, ratel, jackal, civets, jungle cat, fishing cat, etc.  In 1987, the was brought under the purview of the ‘Project Tiger’ as .

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Others

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary  An extent of one kilometre around the boundary of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary has been notified as its eco- sensitive zone (EZ).  It is the first Bird Sanctuary in Kerala harbours a wide range of flora and fauna.  It is also known as Bird Sanctuary which was constituted in 1983.  Dr. Salim Ali, the legendary ‘Bird Man of India’, during his survey in 1933, noted the bird diversity of Thattekkad as the richest bird habitat.  It is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River.  The common birds are: , Cuckoo, , crow phesant, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, wood peckers, lare pied wagtail and Indian hill myna.

Sharavathi Monkey Park  Karnataka government has decided to develop a monkey park in Shivamogga district.  The monkey park will be established on the uninhabited islands in the Sharavathi backwaters region.  The park will be the first such in the state and will be set up on 100 acres of land at the Nagavalli forest in Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga district.  Features: The proposed 100-acre monkey park will have fruit- bearing trees, water sources, and solar fence will be put up around the area to avoid monkeys venturing outside the park premises.  Need: The idea came up following a spike in the cases of monkeys raiding agricultural and plantation crops in Malnad region in recent times and several protests by farmers.  In Himachal Pradesh, there are state-of-the-art monkey sterilization and rehabilitation centers to address the monkey menace, however it has failed to attain its objective.

Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone  The union environment ministry has approved the zonal master plan for the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone notification that stretches from Gaumukh to covering an area of 4179.59 sq km.  This move willhelp expedite the chaardhaam road project.  Located in the upper , the notified area of the Bhagirathi eco- sensitive zone is an interwoven, interdependent fragile Ganga- Himalayan Basin.  Geographically the area falls under the Garhwal lesser Himalayas and Higher Himalayas.  The Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone notification was first issued by the environment ministry on December 18, 2012.  After years of protests by local environmentalists, the notification sought to protect the entire fragile Himalayan region by restricting hydropower projects of over 2 MW, riverbed mining and change of land use.  The notification was however amended on April 16, 2018 following Uttarakhand government’s objections that the notification was ‘anti-development.’

Tillari Conservation Reserve  The Maharashtra state forest department recently declared 29.53 sq. km areaof Dodamarg forest range in Sindhudurg district as Tillari Conservation Reserve.  This area is known to serve as a corridor and even as a habitat for the population of tigers and elephants moving between the three states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.  The38-km-long Dodamarg wildlife corridor that connects Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka frequently witnesses elephant and tiger movement.

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 Tillari will be the seventh corridor in the state to be declared as a conservation reserve.Conservation Reserves  They denote protected areas which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.  Such areas are designated if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities if part of the lands is privately owned.  Administration of such reserves would be through local people and local agencies like the , as in the case of communal forests.

Papum Reserve Forest  A study based on satellite data has flagged a high rate of deforestation in this area which is also a major hornbill habitat in Arunachal Pradesh.  Papum RF is a nesting habitat of three species of the large, colourful fruit-eating : Great, Wreathed and Oriental Pied.  It is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Arunachal Pradesh.  Located between two IBAs, Wildlife Sanctuary to the east and Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary to the west.  The Reserve Forest forms part of the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.

Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP)  The zoo has revived its innovative ‘Adopt-An-Animal’ programme to mobilise resources for animals.  Located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.  Adjacent to Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.  It is the only zoological park in India to become an institutional member of World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).  Host zoo for white tigers. White tigers born to normal coloured parents in the year 1980.  First captive breeding centre for endangered in the year 1980.  – A wetland of National importance (2006).  Conservation Breeding Centres for Indian and Long billed vultures.  First record of breeding of Indian Ratels in captivity (in 2012).  Only zoo in India after which an express train (Nandankanan Express) has been named by .  One among the three zoos in India for breeding Long billed vulture.  First birth of Melanistic tiger in captivity in the year 2014.  The State Botanical Garden of Nandankananis one of the pioneering plant conservation and nature education centres of Odisha.

Bannerghatta Biological Park  Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBBP), Karnataka has come out with the Animal Adoption Programme to conserve wildlife and allow people to adopt animals at the zoo during the lockdown period.  It is located near , Karnataka in the hills of the Anekal range.  It is declared as a National Park in 1974& in 2002, It is the first biological park in India to have a fenced forested elephant sanctuary.  In 2006, India's first butterfly enclosure was inaugurated at the park.  Flora: Scrub type (dry deciduous forests), southern tropical dry deciduous forests, southern tropical moist mixed forests.  Fauna: Elephant, Chital, Barking Deer, , Porcupine, Peafowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Partridges, crocodiles, tortoise, python, varieties of butterflies, etc.

Haldwani Bio-Diversity Park  Uttrakhand opened its biggest biodiversity park in Haldwani on the World Environment Day (5th June).  Inside the Park, there are thematic gardens, a soil museum, species of plants, lichens, mosses and algae from the Jurassic era, a vermicomposting unit, an interpretation center, and a state-of-the-art weather station.

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 The Park has 40 unique sections having 479 rare plant species of cactus, medicinal herbs, different types of trees, etc.  The various species of plants have been brought to the park from diverse terrains like Niti Mana Valley and even from some glaciers around .  Niti Mana Valley is located near the India Tibetan Border in of Uttarakhand.  The plant species in the biodiversity park is divided into spiritual & religious, scientific, human health, and aesthetic value sections.  The spiritual section has trees that find mention in holy scriptures like Guru Granth Sahib, Quran, Bible, and others.  It showcases the different kinds of soil found in various topographies of Uttarakhand- alpine, bhabhar, sub- mountainous, mountainous, tertiary, loam, terai.

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Ramsar Sites in News

About  Ramsar Convention • It was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar and is one of the oldest inter-governmental accord for preserving the ecological character of wetlands. • It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. • Its aim is to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits. • Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under strict guidelines of the convention. • It came into force for India on 1st February, 1982. Those wetlands which are of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.  Montreux Record • Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. • It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List. • Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: (Rajasthan) and (). • (Odisha) was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Haiderpur wetland  The forest department in Uttar Pradesh is working along with conservation organisations to eventually make the Haiderpur wetland in Muzaffarnagar district a Ramsar site.  Fed by the Ganga and Solani rivers, the wetland came into existence in 1984 after the construction of the Madhya Ganga Barrage on the former.  It is spread over 1,214 hectares.  It is located within the boundaries of the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.  It is an importantstopover destination for winter migratory birds like the Greylag goose and the Bar-headed goose.  The Haidepurwetland has been identified under NamamiGange, a flagship programme of the Government of India launched in 2014, as a model wetland along the Ganga.

Tso Kar Wetland Complex  Tso Kar Basin is a high-altitude wetland complex, consisting of two principal waterbodies, Startsapuk Tso, a freshwater lake and Tso Kar itself, a hyper saline lake, situated in the Changthang region of , India.  It is called Tso Kar, meaning white lake, because of the white salt efflorescence found on the margins due to the evaporation of highly saline water.  It is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) as per BirdLife International and a key staging site in the .

Kabartal Wetland  It is known as Kanwar Jheel, it covers 2,620 hectares of the Indo-Gangetic plains in the Begusarai district of Bihar.

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 It acts as a vital flood buffer for the region besides providing livelihood opportunities to local communities.  It is also a valuable site for fish biodiversity with over 50 species documented.  It is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds using it to rest and refuel.  Five critically endangered species inhabit the site, including three vultures – the red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and (Gyps indicus) – and two waterbirds, the sociable lapwing (Vanellusgregarius) and Baer’s pochard (Aythyabaeri).

NandurMadhameshwar  It is the first Ramsar site in Maharashtra.  It is a mosaic of lakes, marshes and riparian forest on the Deccan Plateau. Construction of the NandurMadhameshwar Weir at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa Rivers helped create a thriving wetland.  Its diverse habitats contrast with the surrounding semi-arid conditions caused by the rain shadow of the Western Ghats mountain range.  It provides sanctuary to critically endangered species including Deolali minnow (a fish), Indian vulture and white-rumped vulture.

Saman Bird Sanctuary (Mainpuri, UP)  It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the floodplain.  The Sanctuary is particularly important as a wintering site for many migrants including the greylag goose, with over 1% of the South Asian population present during winter.

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao, UP)  It is a shallow marshland. rains feed this diverse wetland while the Sarda Canal supplies additional water. The Sanctuary supports recreation and tourism activities as well as local biodiversity.  The highly invasive common water hyacinth poses a threat, as does the removal of timber from the forests.  It is known to host Siberian cranes among migratory bird species that rest here during the winter months.

Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (Raebareli, UP)  It is a perennial lowland marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plains in Uttar Pradesh.  Its six connected lakes are heavily dependent on monsoon rains.  The Sanctuary harbours threatened species such as the endangered Egyptian vulture and Pallas’s fish eagle and more than 1% of the South Asian population of the vulnerable common pochard.  A tall grass called “Sarpat” is also found in bunches at every spot.

Sandi Bird Sanctuary (Hardoi, UP)  It is a freshwater marsh, also designated as Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.  The Sandi Bird sanctuary is also known by its ancient name as “DaharJheel” (Jheel = Lake).  River Garra, formerly known as Garun Ganga, passes near the sanctuary.  It is home to over 1% of the South Asian populations of common teal, red-crested pochard and ferruginous while vulnerable has a population of 200 individuals within the Sanctuary.  The Sanctuary dried out leading to a subsequent collapse in waterbird populations from 2014 to 2015.

Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (UP)  It is a permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes.  They are rain-fed lakes in a deep natural depression in the Gangetic plains of the terai region of Uttar Pradesh.  The Sanctuary is a refuge for some of India’s threatened vulture species: the critically endangered white- rumped vulture and Indian vulture and the endangered Egyptian vulture have all been recorded.  Invasive species such as the common water hyacinth along with the development of roads and railways present significant threats.

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SarsaiNawarJheel (Etawah, UP)  This typical wetland of the Indo-Gangetic floodplain in Uttar Pradesh is fed by precipitation run-off from the South West monsoon rains.  It is an example of co-habitation of humans and wildlife: farming practices across most of the Site play important roles in sustaining the waterbird habitats.  A particular beneficiary is the vulnerable sarus crane, with a population of 400 individuals making up the largest flock in the region. Other threatened species present include the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and endangered woolly-necked .  It is recognized by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area.

Beas Conservation Reserve (Punjab)  It is a 185-kilometre stretch of the majorly in Punjab. The River is dotted with islands, sand bars and braided channels creating a complex environment supporting substantial biodiversity.  The Reserve hosts the only known population in India of the endangered dolphin. Further threatened species include the endangered masheer and hog deer as well as the vulnerable smooth-coated otter.  A programme was initiated to re-introduce the critically endangered gharial.

Keshopur- Miani Community Reserve (Punjab)  It is a mosaic of natural marshes, aquaculture ponds and agricultural wetlands maintained by the annual rainfall runoff.  It is heavily human influenced and includes a series of managed fishponds and cultivated crops such as lotus and chestnut.  The Site is an example of wise use of a community-managed wetland, which provides food for people and supports local biodiversity.  Threatened species present include the vulnerable common pochard and the endangered spotted pond turtle.

Asan Conservation Reserve  Recently, it was added to the Ramsar List, making it Uttarakhand's first Ramsar Site  ACR is a 444-hectare stretch of the Asan River running down to its confluence with the Yamuna River in district of Uttarakhand.  The damming of the River by the in 1967 resulted in siltation above the dam wall, which helped to create some of the Site’s bird-friendly habitats.  These habitats support 330 species of birds including the critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Baer’s pochard (Aythyabaeri).  Other non-avian species present include 49 fish species, one of these being the endangered Putitora ( putitora).

Sundarbans  The Sundarbans comprises hundreds of islands and a network of rivers, tributaries and creeks in the delta of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra at the mouth of the in India and .  Located on the southwestern part of the delta, the Indian Sundarban constitutes over 60% of the country’s total mangrove forest area.  It is the 27th Ramsar Site in India, and with an area of 4,23,000 hectares is now the largest protected wetland in the country.  The Indian Sundarban, also a UNESCO world heritage site, is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.  It is also home to a large number of “rare and globally threatened species, such as the critically endangered northern river terrapin (Batagurbaska), the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaellabrevirostris), and the vulnerable fishing cat (Prionailurusviverrinus).”

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 Two of the world’s four horseshoe crab species, and eight of India’s 12 species of kingfisher are also found here. Recent studies claim that the Indian Sundarban is home to 2,626 faunal species and 90% of the country’s mangrove varieties.

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Biosphere Reserves

About  A biosphere reserve is an area of land or water that is protected by law in order to support the conservation of ecosystems, as well as the sustainability of mankind’s impact on the environment.  Each reserve aims to help scientists and the environmental community figure out how to protect the world’s plant and animal species while dealing with a growing population and its resource needs.  To carry out the complementary activities of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, biosphere reserves are traditionally organized into 3 interrelated zones, known as • the core area, • the buffer zone, and • a transition zone or ‘area of cooperation.  The purpose of the formation of the biosphere reserve is to conserve in situ all forms of life, along with its support system, in its totality, so that it could serve as a referral system for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems.  Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India. Ten out of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.

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Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve  State:Uttarakhand  Protected Areas within: • Valley of FlowerNational Park; •  Features: • Has Nanda Devi Peak • River Alaknanda passes from here • Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park has been has been recognised under Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO • Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme • Drained by River

Cold Desert Biosphere Reserves  State:Himachal Pradesh  Protected Areas within: • ; • Chandertal Wild Life Sanctuary

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Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve  State:Assam  Protected Areas within: • DibruSaikhowaNational Park  Features: • Smallest Biosphere Reserve in Area • Rivers like Dibang, Dihang, Lohit, Dibrupasses from here • Has largest Willow Swamp Forest in North East Region

Manas Biosphere Reserve  State:Assam  Protected Areas within: • & Wildlife Sanctuary  Features: • It is a Tiger Reserve& an Elephant Reserve. • River Manas flows here. • Manas Wildlife Sanctuary has been recognised under Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve  State: ()  Protected Areas within: • •  Features: • Has Sejuk Caves (Important: Limestone Caves) • Tribes: Garo Tribe • Has Nokrek Hotspot • Has Napak Lake • It has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme

Dihang- Dibang Biosphere Reserve  State:Arunachal Pradesh  Protected Areas within: • MaoulingNatonal Park • Dibang Wild Life Sanctuary  Features: • Has • River Dihang, River Dibang Passes from it • Tribe: Mishmi, Komkar

Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve  State:  Protected Areas within: • Kanchenjunga National Park  Features: • Has ZemuGlacier (Source of River Teesta) • Inhabited by Lepcha Tribe • Has Kanchenjunga Peak • Khangchendzonga National Park is the Only Mixed Heritage Site in India as per UNESCO • Kanchenjunga National Park has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme

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Sundarban Biosphere Reserve  State:West Bengal  Protected Areas within: •  Features: • Has Single Largest Block of Tidal Halophytic Mangrove • Confluence of Ganga, Padma, • It has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme • Sundarban National Park has been recognised under Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO • Has Sundri Trees

Simlipal Biosphere Reserve  State:Odisha  Protected Areas within: • ; • Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary • Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary  Features: • It derives its name from Semul Tree (Red Silk Cotton Tree) • is located here (Fall is on River Buddhabulanga which is tributary of R. Brahmani) • It is a Tiger Reserve& anElephant Reserve. • It has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme • Was in news as Mankadia Tribe were removed form Simlipal National Park • River Buddhabulanga and River Khari passes via it

Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve  State: Gujarat  Protected Areas within: • • • Kutch Desert Sanctuary • Wild Ass Sanctuary  Features: • Largest Biosphere Reserve; Has Banni Grassland • Tribe: Agaria Tribe reside here (They protect the Wild Ass found here) • Island are known as Byet Here. • Rann of Kutch Lake has two Island: Paccham Island &KhadirByet. • is on KhadirByet.

Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve  State:Madhya Pradesh  Protected Areas within: • Satpura National Park • • Wildlife Sanctuary  Features: • passes through it • Has ; Has • It has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme

Achanakmar- Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

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 State:Madhya Pradesh- Chhattisgarh Border  Protected Areas within: • Achanakmar- Amarkantak Wildlife Sanctuary  Features: • Has (which represent the confluence of Vindhayan&Satpura Range) • River Narmada originate here • Three major rivers are present: Narmada, Johilla&Son • It has been recognised by UNESCO under Man & Biosphere Programme

Panna Biosphere Reserve  State:Madhya Pradesh- Uttar Pradesh Border  Protected Areas within: • Panna National Park • Ken Gharial Sanctuary  Features: • River Ken passes through it • Has Plateau

Seshachakam Biosphere Reserve  State:Andra Pradesh  Protected Areas within: • Sri Venkateshwara National Park • Sri Venkateshwara Wildlife Sanctuary  Features: • 1st Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh • Between Palikonda and Velikonda Hills • River Penneru passes from here • Famous for Red Sander (It is known for its colour) • Has Slender Loris Animal • Has Red which is used in medicines, soaps, spiritual rituals.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve  State:Uttarakhand  Protected Areas within: • Silent Valley National Park (Kerala) • Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) • Mudumalai National Park (Tamil Nadu) • Wayanad National Park (Kerala) • Silent Valley National Park (Kerala) • Satyamanglam National Park (Tamil Nadu) • Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka) • Mukurti National Park (Tamil Nadu)  Features: • First Biosphere Reserve to be declared under Man & Biosphere Programme of UNESCO • Dodabetta is the highest peak of Nilgiri Mountain • River Kabini, Bhavani, Kuntipuzha passes through it • Tribe: Toda, Chettis, Irular etc

Agasthamalai Biosphere Reserve  State: Kerala & Tamil Nadu  Protected Areas within:

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• Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary • Sendurney Wildlife Sanctuary • Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary • Kalkad- MudunthuraiWildlife Sanctuary  Features: • Has Agasthamalai Peak • Resided by Kannikaran Tribe (one of the oldest tribes in the world) • Tamraparni River

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve  Protected Areas within: • Gulf of Mannar  Features: • Dugong- Dugong Sea Grass is found here • It is 1stmarine Biosphere Reserve in Asia • It has been recognised under Man & Biosphere Programme of UNESCO

Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve  State:Andaman & Nicobar Islands  Protected Areas within: • Campbell National Park •  Features: • It has been recognised under Man & Biosphere Programme of UNESCO • Resided by Onge, Shompen, Nicobarese Tribe

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