Satpura Tiger Reserve | 15 Nov 2019
Why in News
Recently, the Satpura Tiger Reserve located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh came into limelight because of the presence of Mahuva tree in its buffer zone. The people residing there have a superstitious belief that Mahuva tree can bring instant relief/cure to their ailments or misfortunes.
- It was established in 2000 and is located south of Narmada River.
- Satpura tiger reserve comprises of three protected areas namely,
- Satpura National Park,
- Bori Sanctuary, and
- Pachmarhi Sanctuary.
- Denwa river: Denwa river is the main water source of the park. It originates from south-eastern part of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh and flows from east to west direction before joining the Tawa river at the south of Ranipur.
- Diversity: These forest enclaves provide habitat for several endangered species, including the Tiger. Other prime species found here are Black Buck, Leopard, Dhole, Indian Gaur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Sloth Bear.
- Avian Fauna- more than 300 species of birds can be seen which include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush and the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh Paradise Flycatcher along with many migratory birds like Indian Skimmers, Black-bellied tern, Bar-headed Geese, etc.
- Archaeological Significance: Presence of more than 50 rock shelters with paintings which are 1500 to 10,000 years old. Some of them are having very rare depictions of elephants, lions, tigers, porcupines, and pangolins.
Note
- Mahuva Tree (Mahua Longifolia) is an Indian tropical tree found largely in the central and north Indian plains and forests.
- Buffer Zone are areas created to enhance the protection of a specific conservation area. They are areas peripheral to a specific protected area, where restrictions on resource use and special development measures are undertaken in order to enhance the conservation value of the protected area.
- Within buffer zones, resource use may be legally or customarily restricted, often to a lesser degree than in the adjacent protected area so as to form a transition zone.