PREFACE Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), the part of Satpuda Maikal ranges falls in Amarvati, Akola and Buldhana districts of Vidharbha in Maharashtra. It is one of the 9 Project Tiger declared initially in 1973 by Government of India and came into existence on 22nd Feb, 1974 as the first tiger reserve of Maharashtra. MTR is the store house of biodiversity and tribal culture. MTR is a typical representative of Central Indian Highland forming a part of the Bio- geographic zone ‘6 E-Deccan Peninsula’– Central Highlands. The reserve forms an important corridor between protected and forests areas of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra ensuring contiguity of forests in Satpuras. Melghat Tiger Reserve is predominately inhabited by Korku tribes. The Korkus, Nihals and Gaolis have their own tradition of indigenous ethno botanical knowledge. The gotras of Korkus are seen to have been named after trees e.g. Jamunkar, Semalkar etc. which goes to prove the integration of their culture with nature. The reserve forms a very important catchment to Tapi and Purna river systems with important tributaries like Dolar, Khandu, Sipna, Gadga, Khapra and Wan river. The river Chandrabhaga which originates from Chikhaldara has its watershed in the reserve. The Gavilgarh fort and Vairat points in the Vicinity of Chikhaldara hill station have important historical significance. Crevices in valleys and forts offer good hiding spaces for wildlife. It harbours a viable population of Tiger (Panthera tigris) and of the endangered Gaur (Bos gaurus). All India Tiger Census, 2010 estimated the presence of about 32-35 tigers in the reserve and it has the potential of supporting 50 tigers based on today’s prey base available as estimated by the method of Hayward et.al. The number may go up also depending on the availability prey base, refuge and water in future. It also harbours a number of other faunal species some of which figure in the IUCN Red Data List. These are Wild dogs (Cuon alpinus), Jackal,(Vulpes bengalensis), Sloth bear (Melurus ursinus), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Caracal ( Felis caracal) and Ratel (Mellivora capensis) There are 37 species of mammals and several species of reptiles, butterflies and insects. The reserve is also very rich in avifauna with 265 species of birds including the recently rediscovered Forest Spotted Owlet (Athene blewitii). As many as 1451 species of Spider species, out of a total 39882 Spider from the world are reported in India and Melghat have 204 Spider species. Ecologically sensitive animals like Flying Squirrel is abundantly seen here which is an example of close canopied and dense forest of old growth. The embankments of Tapi, Khapra and some ‘doh’ in ‘Koktu’ valley are also reported to harbour crocodiles and otters. The floral diversity of Melghat Tiger Reserve consists of 769 plant species belonging to about 400 genera representing 97 families. It includes 90 tree species, 66 shrub species, 316 herb species, 56 climbers, 23 sedges and 99 grass species. The flora shows a combination of floristic elements from Western Ghat and Satpura, with many endemic species. Some of the Himalayan plant species like Preistylus constrictus are also reported here. The rare plants include Convolvulus flavus, Utricularia striatula, Drosera indica and many species of orchids like Vanda tesselata and Aerides maculosum. The northern area receives good rains and has better vegetation growth in lower gentle slopes and valleys. The teak forests dominate the areas and Bombax ceiba, Zizyphus, Stereospermum, Dalbergia sisso and Diospyros remain associated with Tectona grandis (Teak). The soil of trap origin rich in mineral supports the teak well in the area. The species of NTFP importance are also occurring in the areas and these are Madhuca latifolia, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula, Eugenia cumini, Aegel marmelos etc The National Tiger Conservation Authority had requested the Government of Maharashtra to declare the “Critical Tiger Habitats” in the Tiger Reserves under section 38(V) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 vide their letter dated 16th November 2007. Accordingly, Govt. of Maharashtra had notified the Critical Tiger Habitat vide notification no. WLP 10- 07/CR-297/F-1, dated 27 December 2007. The declared “Critical Tiger Habitat” of 1500.49 sq. km. includes 1. Gugamal NP (361.28 sq. Km.), 2. Melghat WLS (788.75 sq. Km.), 3.Narnala WLS (12.35 sq. Km.), 4. Ambabarwa WLS (127.11 sq. Km.) and 5. Wan WLS (211.00 sq. Km.). Out of this, 1150.03 Sq.Km. (Gugamal and Melghat Sanctuary) belongs to the initially declared Melghat Tiger Reserve on 22nd February 1974. The buffer area of 1268.03 sq. Km. from adjoining territorial divisions of Akola, Buldhana, East and West Melghat was identified and declared by the State Government vide the notification no. WLP 10-10/CR-139/F-1, dated 29th September 2010. The practice of preparing management plan of protected areas in India had started after National Wildlife Action Plan, 1983. Melghat Tiger Reserve however, been managed according to approved management plan since its inception. The first management plan of MTR was prepared by Shri K. A. Shaikh and Shri V.B. Sawarkar and was operation from 1973-78. Shri M. G. Gogate had prepared plan for 1988-98 and Shri P. J. Thosare for “Multiple Use Area” for 1992-95. The current management plan for the period 2004-05 to 2013-14 was prepared by Shri Ramanuj Choudhry. The first plan had identified the water as limiting factor for tiger and its prey base and the management prescription of soil and water conservation and habitat protection from fire given accordingly. The ongoing plan gave emphasis on protection and food, shelter and water for suitable dispersal of wild animals and employment generation and reduction of wild animal conflicts in the area. It also aimed at the promotion of eco tourism in the reserve. Choudhry’s plan had covered the area of Gugamal National Park (361.28 Sq. Km.), Melghat Sanctuary (788.75 Sq. Km.) and Multiple Use Area (526.90 Sq. Km.). The amendment in Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 in 2006 (Section 38 V added) proposed the creation of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and accordingly NTCA, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India was created. NTCA vide its letter no. F-No PS-MS (NTCA) / 2007 miscle. dated 5th October 2007 issued detailed format and guidelines for preparation of Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP). Accordingly, the draft plan for core and buffer was initially prepared in the year 2010 by Shri A.K. Misra, then the Chief Conservator of Forest and Field Director, MTR. It was deliberated, revised and corrected as per suggestions by then the Chief Conservator of Forest and Field Directors Shri K.P. Singh.TCP was submitted to National Tiger Conservation Authority for approval by Govt. of Maharashtra in the year 2013. The plan was scrutinised by NTCA and some of the queries raised and suggestions given and those were complied in 2014 by the undersigned and resubmitted to NTCA for approval. However, NTCA has further issued some new guidelines to be incorporated in the revised Tiger Conservation Plan in April 2014. The present “Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP)” has been prepared and revised according to the guidelines issued by the NTCA from time to time and by incorporating the suggestions it has given. The plan period will be for ten years from 2014-2015 in continuation of Choudhary’s plan from 2004-2005 to 2013-2014. The plan may be reviewed in between depending on the changing needs of Melghat Tiger Reserve over a period of time and any new directions given and guidelines issued by the NTCA. The present TCP has covered the entire core and buffer areas. It has independent corridor plan, plan for buffer area and eco tourism plan duly approved by Local Advisory Committee (LAC), a multimember body involving professionals, public representatives and local people and headed by Commissioner. The TCP has given emphasis on the protection both by traditional way of foot patrolling and elephant patrolling specially in monsoon seasons, protection camps at vulnerable places, mobile squad and also by proposing aerial monitoring with the help of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and advanced electronic gadgets such as GPS, CCT’s camera, PDA etc. The Village Eco Development Committees may also be involved in gathering information and by having network of the informers. Habitat improvement works such as meadow development, soil and moisture conservation works on watersheds basis, invasive species eradication etc would be undertaken on needs basis. The research works fulfilling the managerial requirements of the MTR would be undertaken to assess the changes in the habitat and bio diversity of the reserve. The mobilisation of the resources by the reserve will be undertaken by promoting eco tourism and arranging organised tours in the reserve. The relocation of the villages from the core areas of the reserve as envisages by the NTCA to have inviolate area on one hand and to provide better living conditions to the tribal on voluntary basis would be another important aspect of management to be taken care off. The participatory approach of management by involving the locals in all aspect of management would be the basis of habitat management, protections and eco tourism in the reserve. The “Village Eco Development” would be actively involved in all aspect of management. The wildlife management essentially involve the reduction of biotic pressure on the reserve and it would be achieved by providing alternatives such as LPG connections, solar lamp and lights and providing meaningful employment. Melghat Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation would vigorously pursue the research, eco tourism, assets building and fund raising along with the welfare of the staff of the reserve.