Recently, a 10-year-old boy tragically lost his life in a recent tiger attack within the Metikuppe wildlife range of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka’s Mysore and Kodagu districts, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and serves as a vital part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Originally established as a hunting reserve during the Wodeyar dynasty, it was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, upgraded to a national park in 1988, and became a Tiger Reserve in 1999 under Project Tiger. The reserve boasts diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and various deer species.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated southwest of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Kerala, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area that contributes to the region’s biodiversity conservation efforts.
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve: Bandipur Tiger Reserve is located on the southeastern side of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve and is another crucial tiger habitat in Karnataka, India.
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve encompassing several protected areas in the Western Ghats, including Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, with a focus on ecological conservation.
- Coorg State: Coorg State was a former administrative region in India. Nagarahole was originally established as a wildlife sanctuary during the period when Coorg State existed.
- Hadlu: “Hadlu” refers to swampy fallow areas within the reserve dominated by grasses and sedges that are favored by various herbivores as a source of food.
- Rosewood, Teak, Sandalwood, Silver Oak: These are commercially valuable tree species found in the forests of Nagarahole, with rosewood, teak, and sandalwood being especially prized for their timber.