While Madhya Pradesh is known as a major tiger State of the country, little is known about the presence of the big cat in its sibling State of Chhattisgarh. Recently, tigers from Kanha Tiger Reserve (MP) have been found to migrate to the adjoining Bhoramdeo Wildlife sanctuary and further up to Achanak Mar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh.
As per the latest estimates, at least 4-5 tigers have been found in Bhoramdeo and about a dozen in Achanak Mar. Efforts are on to create a 92-km tiger corridor, connecting Kanha to Achanakmar tiger reserve.
“Bhoramdeo was a part of buffer zone of Kanha prior to the bifurcation of the State. However, tigers know no borders, making it necessary to protect their migration route,” said Ram Prakash, Chief Wildlife Warden, Chhattisgarh.
The corridor connecting Kanha to Achanakmar spreads to about 700 sq kms across the forest ranges of Chilphi and Bhoram Deo under Bhoram Deo Wildlife sanctuary, and Taregaon and Pandariya Forest Range under Kawardah Forest Division.
According to sources, since Kanha is often crowded with tourists and spill over tiger population, tigers try to get away to areas with lesser intervention. The connecting forest of Chhattisgarh is proving to be ideal refuge for pregnant tigresses, who feel insecure when they lack privacy. Usually male tigers kill the newborn cubs, hence tigresses prefer to walk out of Kanha and reach the Bhoramdeo sanctuary for protection of their cubs, said the sources.
The months between December and February is the peak season for tigresses to come out of Kanha to Chhattisgarh forests. Such frequent visits of tigers and their staying back may lead to increased presence of tigers in Chhattisgarh.
The corridor also has the presence of Gaur, Sambar, Cheetal and Barking Deer to support the transient tiger population besides carnivores as leopards. Wildlife Trust of India is conducting a scientific study on tiger corridor in Chhattisgarh.
“Work is being to develop the habitat area of the corridor. There is crisis of water. Artificial water sources are being developed along with vegetation patches to support herbivore population for a healthy prey base,” said Prakash.
Breeding centres of chital and deer are also being set up at the two locations. The animals released in the corridor patches would further boost up the prey base and support tiger population. Patrolling camps are also being set up at the strategic points of the corridor to ensure protection, he said.
According to sources, the major threats in the corridor are loss of habitat due to encroachment on forest lands by villagers for agriculture and development activities like construction of roads and mining activities. Poaching of prey and predator species, forest fires, unsustainable collection of minor forest produce and other forest produces are the other problems. There is also a conflict between conservation values and traditional practices, lack of awareness and illiteracy and amongst the local communities which needs to be taken care, said the sources.