Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, spread across five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has the largest Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) among the given options with a total area of approximately 3,728 sq. km. Critical Tiger Habitats are core areas of tiger reserves notified under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which are kept inviolate for tiger conservation based on scientific evidence.
📝 Short Notes: Major Tiger Reserves and Their Critical Tiger Habitat Areas
| Tiger Reserve | State(s) | Approximate CTH Area | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | ~3,728 sq. km (largest) | Spans across Krishna and Godavari basins; largest tiger reserve in India |
| Corbett | Uttarakhand | ~1,318 sq. km | India's first national park (1936); oldest tiger reserve (1973) |
| Ranthambore | Rajasthan | ~1,113 sq. km | Famous for day-time tiger sightings; historical Ranthambore Fort |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | ~1,330 sq. km | Largest mangrove forest; UNESCO World Heritage Site; unique swimming tigers |
- Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH): Also called core areas, these are inviolate zones notified under Section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, where human activities are prohibited or severely restricted.
- Buffer Zones: Areas surrounding CTH where limited human activity is permitted with conservation-oriented management.
- India has 53 tiger reserves (as of 2023) covering about 75,000 sq. km across 18 states.
- Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves; Corbett was the first.
Question 2 of 5 Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves
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