Conservation Efforts for Tiger Reserve

Summary Notes on Tiger Conservation Efforts in Chhattisgarh

Overview of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR)

• Location: Chhattisgarh, India; spans 1,842.54 sq km.
• Historical Tiger Population Decline:
  • 1998: 18 tigers
  • 2006: Reduced to 3 tigers
  • 2023: No resident tigers, reserve acted as a transit area for dispersing big cats.

Recent Developments

• Tigress Arrival: A four-year-old tigress named “Paheli” entered USTR in January 2026, surviving through summer without a resident population of tigers.
• Habitat Viability: Her presence is seen as a positive signal indicating potential for a breeding population.

Conservation Strategies

• Monitoring Efforts:
  • Regular patrolling, camera trapping, and thermal drones utilized to monitor wildlife.
  • Plans to radio-collar Paheli for tracking.
• Habitat Improvements:
  • Development of over 500 hectares of grassland.
  • Creating water bodies to enhance water availability for wildlife.
  • Encroachment Clearance: Approximately 956 hectares of encroached land cleared from core and buffer areas.

Anti-Poaching Measures

• Operations & Arrests:
  • 15 inter-state operations conducted, arresting over 100 alleged poachers involved in trafficking.
  • Busting of illegal firearm production units reported.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Involvement

• Translocation Approvals: NTCA approved the translocation of one male and two female tigers from Madhya Pradesh to bolster the population in USTR.
• Prey Availability Focus: Emphasis on improving prey base as a critical component for the reserve's revival.

Reviving Wild Buffalo Population

• Introduction of Wild Buffaloes: Three female wild buffaloes from Assam will be introduced into the reserve soon, as wild buffalo populations have also seen significant decline (From 80 to 1 in the reserve).

Historical Context

• Wildlife Decline Context: The reserve and Chhattisgarh wildlife, including significant decreases in wild buffalo, panthers, gaur, sambar, nilgai, spotted deer, and wild boar, highlighting a broader challenge in biodiversity conservation in the region.

Future Prospects

• Optimism for Tiger Recovery: With ongoing monitoring, habitat restoration, and species translocation, conservationists hold hope for a sustainable tiger population in USTR akin to the success seen in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve.

---

Key Considerations for Conservation

• Understanding of local biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Implementation of effective conservation strategies and community engagement.
• Continuous funding and support from both state and national levels for habitat protection.
• The role of international conservation frameworks and local governance in effective wildlife management.