Page 51 - MANN KI BAAT (English)

Tiger Reserves of India months, two new Tiger Reserves, Guru Ghasidas-Tamor-
Today there are 56 Tiger Reserves in India. In the last two
Pingla Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh) and Ratapani Tiger
Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) have been added. Ghasidas-
Tamor-Pingla Tiger Reserve is Chhattisgarh's second Tiger
Shining Example of Wildlife Conservation Reserve Reserve, spread over 2,829 square kilometers. The
area of Ratapani Tiger Reserve, which was already the home
of tigers, has now been officially declared a Tiger Reserve.
Our culture and heritage guide us to live harmoniously
with the animals and birds around us. In this context, the
declaration of these new Tiger Reserves makes it amply
clear that India is constantly trying to protect its wildlife.
Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand was established
in 1936 and is the country's oldest national park. The dense
green forests, flowing rivers, and mountains here are the
ideal habitat for tigers.
If you are fortunate, you can see tigers roaming freely
here during the jungle safari.
Kanha National Park of Madhya Pradesh is very famous.
This is the same forest that inspired Rudyard Kipling's iconic
novel 'The Jungle Book.' Apart from tigers, deer, leopards,
and wild dogs can also be seen in the forests here.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is also in Madhya Pradesh,
known for inhabiting the highest number of tigers. The forest
here is dotted with hills and old forts, which makes its view
very panoramic.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is the oldest and largest
tiger reserve in Maharashtra. It is considered one of the best
places to see tigers. The dry and open forests here make it
easier to see tigers during safari.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve of Karnataka in South India is
famous for elephants and tigers. The green foliage and
tranquil environment of this Reserve makes it distinct.
Manas National Park in the Assam state of North-East
India is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with tigers,
elephants and one-horned rhinoceros are also found here.
This forest, located near the Manas river, is known for its
unique beauty.
Project Tiger' was launched in India in 1973, and today, it
has achieved an unusual degree of success. India is home
to 75% of the world's tigers. As a result of the conservation
efforts of the government and the people, the number of
tigers is continuously increasing today.
Tigers are not just animals but they are the splendour
and grandeur of our forests. If we do not take steps to
conserve them, the ecological balance of the forests will
be disturbed. That is why we should make every possible
effort to save tigers and the forests which they inhabit. If
we succeed in this, the coming generations will surely be
able to hear the roar of big cats and enjoy their magnificent
beauty.

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