By TNN | 18 Jan, 2015
The state government has proposed to develop Ranipur wildlife sanctuary
in Chitrakoot (Bundelkhand region) into a tiger reserve, given its
proximity to Panna. The two reserves are located at a distance of 150km
along the UP-MP border. Ranipur doesn't have any tiger, but the ones
from Panna keep frequenting the sanctuary. Tiger pugmarks are regularly
found at Ranipur.
"If the place is developed as a separate
tiger reserve, it might get some of these stray tigers finding their
territories at Ranipur," said a UP forest department source, adding the
final decision would be taken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board of Wildlife.
At present, UP has 100-odd tigers in three tiger reserves at Lakhimpur
(884sq.km Dudhwa reserve), Pilibhit (720sq.km) and Bijnor (80sq.km
Amangarh reserve).
While these reserves are tiger-dominant
areas, 250sq.km Ranipur sanctuary has no 'resident' tigers. The
sanctuary, though, has a large antelope population comprising
'chausinghas, chinkara, sloth bear, black bucks and leopards.
Ranipur is not a popular wildlife sanctuary and does not attract enough
tourists because of its difficult access. But proximity to Panna and
being developed as a tiger reserve can help draw tourists.
Besides, tiger reserve status will fetch it additional funds under
Project Tiger, a worked-out wildlife management plan and central
assistance to boost security and technical know-how in the sanctuary.
The other wildlife sanctuaries in Bundelkhand eco-tourism circuit like
Vijaysagar and Mahavir Swamy too will gain from Ranipur's enhanced
status.
source
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh may soon get its fourth tiger reserve, thanks to big cats strolling into the state from Madhya Pradesh's Panna reserve.
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