Chhattisgarh has announced the creation of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, the third largest tiger reserve in India. This landmark decision marks a significant step towards revitalizing the state’s declining tiger population and enhancing eco-tourism.
Covering an expansive 2,829 square kilometers across the districts of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur, the new reserve combines the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary. The formation of this reserve comes after years of advocacy and pressure, notably from wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2019 demanding action on the declining tiger numbers in the state.
Currently, Chhattisgarh is home to three established tiger reserves: Indravati in Bijapur district, Udanti-Sitanadi in Gariaband, and Achanakmar in Mungeli. With the recent approval of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh’s reserve count will rise to four. This development follows the recent designation of Veerangana Durgavati in Madhya Pradesh as a tiger reserve, bringing India’s total number of tiger reserves to 55.
Chhattisgarh’s tiger population has seen a dramatic fall from 46 in 2014 to just 17 in 2022, as highlighted in a 2023 National Tiger Conservation Authority report. The new reserve aims to address this critical decline while also fostering eco-tourism and creating employment opportunities.
The state government has outlined plans to employ locals as guides, tourist vehicle operators, and resort managers, thus integrating conservation efforts with community development.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is expected to draw wildlife enthusiasts and eco-tourists from across the country, offering unique opportunities to explore diverse wildlife habitats and experience the natural beauty of Chhattisgarh. The reserve’s establishment will also benefit from additional funding from the National Project Tiger Authority, supporting further conservation initiatives and community-based projects.
With this development, Chhattisgarh joins the ranks of major tiger reserves like Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarjunasagar Srisailam and Assam’s Manas Tiger Reserve, reinforcing India’s commitment to tiger conservation and sustainable tourism.
