The recent news highlights a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), where three labourers lost their lives and two others were injured while trying to extinguish a forest fire. This incident not only emphasizes the dangers faced by those battling such fires but also brings attention to the importance of the NNTR.
About Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR)
Located in the heart of the central Indian Tiger landscape, the NNTR is situated in Maharashtra’s Gondia and Bhandara districts. The Tiger Reserve, which contributes approximately one-sixth of India’s total tiger population, shares borders with Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the north and east, respectively. In December 2013, it was declared as the 46th Tiger Reserve of India, and it includes the notified areas of Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
Connectivity of NNTR
The NNTR has significant connections with other major tiger reserves in Central India. These include Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh, and indirectly with Kawal and Nagarjuna Sagar in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and finally Achanakmar Tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh. Furthermore, it is linked to crucial tiger-bearing areas such as Umred-Karhandla Sanctuary and Brahampuri Division in Maharashtra.
The Flora of NNTR
NNTR boasts a diverse flora, primarily of the “Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest” type. Various thorny plants are scattered across the reserve, and bamboo grows in abundance, contributing to the region’s rich biodiversity.
The Fauna of NNTR
NNTR is home to a variety of wildlife. Large carnivores like leopards can be spotted here, along with smaller carnivores such as wild dogs, wolves, jackals, and jungle cats. The reserve is also known for its sizable population of sloth bears. Herbivores including Cheetal, Sambar, Nilgai, Chousingha, Barking deer, Wild pig, and Indian gaur inhabit the area. Mouse deer have been identified as well. The tiger reserve is also a bird watcher’s paradise, boasting more than 300 species of birds recorded from the area.
Other Protected Areas in Maharashtra
Besides NNTR, Maharashtra has several other protected areas dedicated to wildlife conservation. These include Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Pench National Park. Each of these reserves and sanctuaries plays an essential role in preserving various threatened and endangered species, reflecting the state’s commitment to wildlife protection and biodiversity conservation.
