changeadminMadhya Pradesh’s Madhav Tiger Reserve has become India’s latest entrant to its Tiger Reserve, taking the total tally to 58.
The announcement was made by Mr Bhupender Yadav, Minister of India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoFCC) on the social media.
India has added three tiger reserves in the last four months, all of them quite close to each other – Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh was the 56th and Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh was the 57th Tiger Reserve of the country.
Madhav Tiger Reserve located in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri District is the ninth tiger reserve in the state, the highest in the country.
The new tiger reserve is located on the northern edge of India’s Central Highlands, encompassing the Upper Vindhyan Hills.
The park was designated a National Park in 1958 and has a fascinating mix of natural splendours, history and architectural wonders. Spread over an area of almost 355 sq km, the forest ecosystem is interspersed with plateaus and valley areas.
The presence of the Madikhera dam forms two lakes, adding to the natural beauty and providing a water source for wildlife and a fine wetland habitat for aquatic fauna, including thousands of migratory waterfowl.
Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar are the two lakes in the southern part of the park, providing the lifeline for the terrestrial species and aquatic biodiversity, including marsh crocodiles. Due to the presence of crocodiles in Sakhya Sagar, the lake attracts special attention from visitors.
Sakhya Sagar, also a Ramsar site, attracts thousands of migratory birds every winter from Central Asian countries. These include Demoiselle cranes, Spotbill Pelicans, Spoonbills, Shovellers, Natka, Bar-headed Geese, Brahminy Duck, etc.
The most common animals in the park are Sambhar deer, Chital (Spotted deer), Nilgai, Wild Pigs and Chinkara. Apart from tigers and leopards, other carnivores include wild dogs, jackals and hyenas.
Apart from the wildlife and natural landscape, the Madhav Tiger Reserve has a touch of history. Deep inside the forest stands an exquisite George Castle built in the early 20th century. The park was once a hunting paradise to former rulers and kings in the region.
The nearest railway station is Shivpuri and the Gwalior airport is about 125 kms from the tiger reserve.
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