Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve UPSC
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve located in the state of Maharashtra, India. It was established in 1975 as a wildlife sanctuary and later declared a tiger reserve in 2013. The reserve is named after two prominent lakes within its boundaries, Navegaon Lake and Nagzira Lake.
The reserve spans an area of about 655 square kilometers (253 square miles) and is known for its rich biodiversity. It is situated in the easternmost part of the Satpura Range and is characterized by a mix of dense forests, hilly terrain, and meandering streams.
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Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Location
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is situated in the eastern part of Maharashtra, primarily in the Bhandara and Gondia districts.
The reserve is approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Nagpur, which is a major city in Maharashtra. The nearest town to the reserve is Sakoli, which is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) away.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Nearest Airport:
The nearest airport to Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) away from the reserve. From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the tiger reserve.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Nearest Railway Station:
The nearest railway station to Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is Gondia Junction Railway Station. It is located in Gondia, Maharashtra, and is approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from the reserve. From the railway station, one can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the tiger reserve.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve History
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve has a significant history in wildlife conservation in India. Here are some key milestones in the history of the reserve:
Wildlife Sanctuary Establishment: Navegaon Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1975. It was initially created to protect the wildlife and the forested areas in the region. The sanctuary was formed by merging the Navegaon Wildlife Sanctuary and Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary.
Tiger Reserve Declaration: In 2013, Navegaon Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve. This designation aimed to enhance the conservation efforts for the endangered tiger population in the area. It also brought increased attention to the reserve's importance in preserving biodiversity.
- Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is the 46th Tiger Reserve of India.
- Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is the 5th Tiger reserve of Maharashtra.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Area
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is approximately 653.67 square kilometers (252.42 square miles). This area includes the combined area of Nawegaon National Park, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
Here is the breakdown of their respective areas:
- Nawegaon National Park: 129.55 square kilometers (50.02 square miles)
- Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary: 152.41 square kilometers (58.87 square miles)
- Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary: 122.76 square kilometers (47.42 square miles)
- New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary: 151.33 square kilometers (58.39 square miles)
- Koka Wildlife Sanctuary: 97.62 square kilometers (37.72 square miles)
When you add up the areas of these individual protected areas, the total area of the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve comes to 653.67 square kilometers (252.42 square miles).
Tiger Corridors
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve has connectivity with several major tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Central India. Here are the nearby reserves and sanctuaries with which it shares connectivity:
(1) Kanha Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh): Kanha Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve are both located in Madhya Pradesh and are well-known tiger reserves. Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve shares connectivity with these reserves, facilitating wildlife movement across the region.
(2) Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra): Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is another prominent tiger reserve in Maharashtra. It is located in close proximity to Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, allowing wildlife to move between these two reserves.
(3) Indravati Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh): Indravati Tiger Reserve is situated in Chhattisgarh and is known for its rich biodiversity, including tiger populations. Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve has connectivity with Indravati Tiger Reserve, enabling wildlife movement between these two areas.
(4) Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary and Brahmapuri Division (Maharashtra): Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary and Brahmapuri Division are located in Maharashtra and serve as important wildlife habitats. They provide connectivity with Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, allowing wildlife to traverse across these areas.
These connectivity corridors between the reserves and sanctuaries are crucial for maintaining genetic diversity, promoting wildlife movement, and supporting the long-term survival of various species, including tigers. Efforts are made to ensure the protection and conservation of these corridors to facilitate the free movement of wildlife and maintain healthy ecosystems across the region.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Hills
The highest point in Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is known as 'Zenda Pahad', which has an elevation of approximately 702 meters (2,303 feet) above sea level. This hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is a notable feature within the reserve.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Lake
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is known for its picturesque lakes that add to the natural beauty and wildlife habitat of the reserve. Two prominent lakes within the reserve are Navegaon Lake and Nagzira Lake.
(1) Navegaon Lake:
Navegaon Lake is a man-made lake located in Navegaon National Park, which is part of the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve. It covers an area of approximately 11 square kilometers and is surrounded by dense forests and hilly terrains. The lake attracts a wide variety of bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. Visitors can also enjoy boating and other recreational activities on the lake.
(2) Nagzira Lake:
Nagzira Lake is another significant water body in the reserve. It is located in the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and provides a source of water for the wildlife in the area. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a serene environment for nature lovers. Birdwatching and boating are also popular activities around Nagzira Lake.
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Flora
The flora of Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is characterized as Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests. It comprises a diverse range of plant species, contributing to the rich biodiversity of the reserve.
Here are some major trees, shrubs, climbers, and grass species found in the reserve:
Major Trees:
- Terminalia tomentosa - Saja, Indian Laurel
- Lagerstroemia parviflora - Crepe Myrtle
- Anogeissus latifolia - Axlewood, Dhawada
- Pterocarpus marsupium - Indian Kino Tree, Bijasal
- Diospyrus melanoxylon - Blackwood, Tendu
- Ougeinia oogenesis - Indian Laburnum, Amaltas
- Tectona grandis - Teak
- Bombax ceiba - Silk Cotton Tree, Semal
- Lannea grandis - Indian Ash Tree, Anjan
- Boswellia serrata - Indian Frankincense, Salai
- Adina cordifolia - Indian Oak, Haldu
- Xylia xylocarpa - Indian Ironwood, Takhian
- Terminalia arjuna - Arjuna Tree
- Syzygium cumini - Indian Blackberry, Jamun
- Schleichera oleosa - Lac Tree, Kusum
- Terminalia chebula - Black Myrobalan, Harad
- Sterculia urens - Indian Almond, Paniala
Prominent Shrubs:
- Holarrhena antidysenterica - Connessi Bark, Kurchi
- Wrightia tinctoria - Pala Indigo Plant
- Woodfordia fruticosa - Fire-flame Bush, Dhataki
- Helicteres isora - East Indian Screw Tree, Marodphali
Climber Species:
- Butea - Flame of the Forest, Palash
- Bauhinia - Orchid Tree, Kachnar
Grass Species:
- Themeda - Red Grass, Kangaroo Grass
- Ischaemum - Needle Grass, Kuruka
- Apluda - Joint Grass, Musali
- Eragrostis - Love Grass, Durva
- Cynodon - Bermuda Grass, Doob
- Imperata - Cogon Grass, Lal Dhanka
- Vetiveria - Vetiver Grass, Khus
- Heteropogon - Bluestem Grass, Dhaman
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Fauna (Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Animals)
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve is home to a rich and diverse range of fauna, including several mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species. Here are some notable examples of the fauna found in the reserve:
Mammals:
- Tiger
- Panther
- Small Indian Civet
- Palm Civet
- Wolf
- Jackal
- Wild Dog
- Sloth Bear
- Ratel
- Common Giant Flying Squirrel
- Gaur
- Sambar
- Chital
- Four Horned Antelope
- Mouse Deer
- Barking Deer
- Pangolin
- Nilgai
- Wild Pig
Note- Recently, a rare Melanistic Leopard (commonly known as Black Panther) was spotted in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve.
Birds:
- Indian Grey Hornbill
- Indian Pitta
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Malabar Pied Hornbill
- Painted Stork
- Indian Roller
- Asian Paradise Flycatcher
- Indian Peafowl
- Grey-headed Fish Eagle
- Oriental Honey Buzzard
- White-rumped Shama
Reptiles:
- Indian Rock Python
- Indian Cobra
- Common Monitor Lizard
- Indian Chameleon
- Indian Star Tortoise
Top Things to do in Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve
When visiting Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, there are several activities and experiences that you can enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do in the reserve:
- Wildlife Safari
- Birdwatching
- Nature Walks
- Boating
- Visit the Interpretation Center
- Nature Photography
- Relax and Enjoy Nature
Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve UPSC Questions
Q. In which state Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve is located?
A. Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve is located in the Bhandara and Gondia districts of Maharashtra, India.
Q. How many tigers are there in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve?
A. Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve has 12 to 17 tigers, as per the recent All India Tiger Estimation report.
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