Daily Current Affairs : 28-October-2023
In recent years, Tamil Nadu’s Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) has embarked on an ambitious tiger rewilding program. The efforts of a dedicated Forest Department staff have been instrumental in ensuring the safety and progress of the resident tiger. This essay explores the context and significance of this initiative in the lush landscape of ATR.
About Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Anamalai Tiger Reserve is situated in the Western Ghats, specifically in the Tamil Nadu portion of the Anamalais. It’s a natural wonder, surrounded by various wildlife reserves and forests, creating a rich ecosystem:
- Geographical Location: ATR lies south of the Palakkad gap and shares borders with the Parambikulum Tiger Reserve to the east, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulum National Park to the southwest.
- Diverse Ranges: The reserve boasts various ecological ranges such as Amaravathi, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai, and Manamboli.
Anthropological Diversity
Aside from its wildlife, ATR is home to over 4600 Adivasi people from six indigenous tribes, including Kadars, Malasars, Malaimalasar, Pulaiyars, Muduvars, and Eravallan (Eravalar). Their coexistence with the tigers and other wildlife adds a layer of cultural significance to this conservation effort.
Rich Flora
ATR is a botanical treasure trove, encompassing a wide variety of ecosystems, from wet evergreen forests to thorn forests and marshes. Notable features include the Kariyan shola, Grass Hills, and Manjampatti, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Diverse Fauna
The reserve is not only about tigers but also home to various mammal species, including Asiatic elephants, Sambar, spotted deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr, and of course, Tigers. This diverse range of wildlife showcases the success of the conservation program in maintaining biodiversity.
Other Protected Areas in Tamil Nadu
Apart from ATR, Tamil Nadu hosts several other important protected areas like Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Mukurthi National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, and Guindy National Park.
Important Points:
- Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) Overview:
- Located in Tamil Nadu portion of the Anamalais in the Western Ghats.
- Surrounded by wildlife reserves: Parambikulum Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulum National Park.
- Diverse ecological ranges: Amaravathi, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai, and Manamboli.
- Anthropological Diversity:
- Home to 4600+ Adivasi people from six indigenous tribes.
- Tribes include Kadars, Malasars, Malaimalasar, Pulaiyars, Muduvars, and Eravallan.
- Coexistence with wildlife adds cultural significance.
- Flora and UNESCO Recognition:
- Encompasses various ecosystems: wet evergreen, semi-evergreen, montane shola-grassland, deciduous forests, thorn forests, and marshes.
- Kariyan shola, Grass Hills, and Manjampatti are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Diverse Fauna:
- Notable mammal species include Asiatic elephants, Sambar, spotted deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr, and Tigers.
- Other Protected Areas in Tamil Nadu:
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Mukurthi National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, and Guindy National Park are significant protected areas in Tamil Nadu.
- Conservation Success:
- Dedicated Forest Department staff ensures the safety and progress of tigers in ATR.
- Tiger rewilding program serves as a conservation model.
- Success reflects holistic conservation efforts in India, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity and indigenous communities.
Why In News
A committee, comprising wildlife experts and conservationists, assessed the progress of Tamil Nadu’s first tiger rewilding program in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, meticulously evaluating the ecological impact and community engagement strategies to ensure the sustainable coexistence of tigers and local communities.
MCQs about Anamalai Tiger Reserve: Biodiversity and Coexistence
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What makes Anamalai Tiger Reserve unique in its geographical location?
A) Located in the Eastern Ghats
B) Lies north of the Palakkad gap in the Western Ghats
C) Surrounded by the Indian Ocean
D) Situated in the Himalayan foothills
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Which of the following tribes is NOT mentioned as residing in Anamalai Tiger Reserve?
A) Kadars
B) Malabar
C) Pulaiyars
D) Muduvars
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What ecosystems are found within Anamalai Tiger Reserve?
A) Desert and Rainforest
B) Wet evergreen forest, semi-evergreen forest, montane shola-grassland, and more
C) Savannah and Tundra
D) Alpine and Chaparral
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Which of the following is NOT a mammal species mentioned in the essay as residing in Anamalai Tiger Reserve?
A) Asiatic elephant
B) Bengal tiger
C) Giraffe
D) Nilgiri tahr
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