MP: Good news for wildlife lovers: Approval to make Ratapani 8th tiger reserve of state; know more about proposed reserve; how people of Bhopal & MP benefit?

In exciting news for the residents of Madhya Pradesh, another tiger reserve is set to be established in the state, known as the Tiger State of India. The state government has approved the proposal to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a Tiger Reserve. 

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had initially given in-principle consent for this transformation back in 2011. The new Ratapani Tiger Reserve will cover an area of 2,163.037 square kilometers and will host over 3,000 forest animals, including tigers and leopards.

Ratapani: The 8th Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh

The State Wildlife Board, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has officially sanctioned the establishment of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve. This proposal will now be forwarded to the Central Government for final approval. Once the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary becomes a Tiger Reserve, it will mark the eighth such reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The proposal had been pending for 16 years before finally receiving the green light.

Economic and Cultural Impact on Bhopal

The establishment of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve will grant Bhopal a new identity, boosting its cultural and economic profile. The areas of Bhopal and Obedullaganj are expected to see significant economic benefits due to an increase in tourist inflow. The central government will provide 60 percent of the funding for the reserve, with the state government contributing the remaining 40 percent.

Benefits for Bhopal Residents

The creation of the Ratapani Sanctuary Tiger Reserve is expected to bring numerous benefits to the residents of Bhopal:

Cultural Heritage: The world will gain exposure to Bhopal’s rich cultural heritage.

International Recognition: Bhopal will achieve recognition on the international map due to the new tiger reserve.

Economic Growth: The local economy will experience growth from increased tourism.

Employment Opportunities: Youth and residents will benefit from new job opportunities.

Hospitality Industry: Economic gains will be realized through the development of hotels, resorts, and homestays.

Current Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh

Currently, Madhya Pradesh is home to seven Tiger Reserves:

Kanha Tiger Reserve (Mandla)

Pench Tiger Reserve (Chhindwara, Seoni)

Panna Tiger Reserve (Panna)

Satpura Tiger Reserve (Narmadapuram)

Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve (Sidhi)

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (Umaria)

Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Sagar, Narsinghpur, Damoh)

With the addition of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Bhopal, the total number of tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh will rise to eight, further solidifying the state's reputation as a key region for wildlife conservation in India.

Less than 50 km from Bhopal, rich in flora & fauna

The Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, in Vindhya Range in central India, is one of the finest teak forests in the state and is less than 50 kilometres away from the capital Bhopal.

A large variety of wildlife is found in the wildlife sanctuary. Carnivores in the sanctuary include the tiger, leopard, dhole, hyena, jackal and fox, and the herbivores include chital, sambar, nilgai, four-horned antelope, langur and wild boar, and primates: langur and rhesus macaque. The omnivorous sloth bear is also seen often. 

Smaller animals, like squirrels, mongooses, gerbils, porcupines, hares, etc. are of common occurrence. Among reptiles, important species include different kinds of lizards, chameleon, snakes, etc. More than 150 species of birds are seen here.