The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given the green light for the establishment of the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, making it the fifth tiger reserve in the state. Tiger reserves are protected areas dedicated to conserving tigers and can also be national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. India currently has 54 Tiger Reserves, with the latest addition being the Dholpur-Karauli reserve. The NTCA, a body under the Ministry of Environment, is aimed at strengthening tiger conservation by providing legal authority to Project Tiger, ensuring Center-State accountability, and addressing the interests of local communities.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority): A statutory body operating under the Ministry of Environment, tasked with enhancing tiger conservation through legal directives, federal cooperation, and community engagement.
- Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve: The newly approved tiger reserve in Rajasthan, aimed at safeguarding the population of tigers and their habitats in the region.
- Project Tiger: An initiative launched in 1973 in India to protect and conserve tigers by creating designated tiger reserves, monitoring their population, and combating poaching.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: An Indian legislation focused on wildlife conservation, including the establishment of protected areas like tiger reserves and regulations against wildlife-related offenses.
- Sariska Tiger Reserve: Located in Rajasthan, this reserve was initially a national park and later dedicated to tiger conservation, highlighting the dual role of some reserves as both protected areas and tiger conservation zones.