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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
With 1,044 sq km more, Sundarbans set to be 2nd largest tiger reserve in India
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolkata: The Centre on Tuesday cleared a proposal to include three ranges in South 24 Parganas forest division under the management of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, paving way for the Unesco World Heritage Site to become the second largest tiger reserve in India after Andhra Pradesh's Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. The revised area, after inclusion of about 1,044 square kilometres from Raidighi, Matla and Ramganga ranges, under the tiger reserve will now be over 3,600 square kilometres. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of more than 3,700 square kilometres. Till now, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve — with an area of about 2,585 square kilometres — was the sixth largest tiger reserve in India. Talking to TOI, H S Singh, member of National Board for Wildlife under the ministry of environment and forest, said the board had cleared the proposal on Tuesday. "We have cleared the proposal to include around 1,044 square kilometres under the tiger reserve. The state can now issue a notification after which both the Bengal and National Tiger Conservation Authority officials will decide how much area will come under core zone and how much will be allotted to buffer zone," he added. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata A senior official of the Bengal forest department said the proposal was first taken up almost a decade ago in 2012-13. "But it gained momentum a couple of years ago during which revised plans were submitted to the Centre," he added. Former chief wildlife warden of Bengal, Pradeep Vyas, said they had first approached the Centre in 2012-13 to integrate forests under South 24 Parganas division, also known as buffer zone, with the tiger reserve. "All zones under a common structure will lead to a better and efficient management. It will also give a sense of belonging to all forest staff working in the delta," Vyas added. The final proposal, according to sources, was sent to the Centre only a month ago. The latest all-India tiger estimation exercise had pegged that the Indian Sundarbans was home to an estimated 101 tigers — 80 in tiger reserve and the rest in the South 24 Parganas division. Joydip Kundu, member, state wildlife advisory board, said: "Bringing the areas under the tiger reserve's protection protocols will strengthen conservation efforts. Also, the move will give a boost to central funding for the tiger reserve." Principal secretary Debal Roy said he was not aware of the development so far. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Great Indian Bustards (GIB) revival hits roadblock again as Rajasthan refuses to share eggs, male bird with Gujarat
Gujarat's efforts to revive its Great Indian Bustard population have been thwarted again as Rajasthan refuses to share fertile eggs or male birds. This setback jeopardizes the survival of the species in Gujarat, where only three infertile females remain. AHMEDABAD: In a critical blow to the state's conservation efforts, Rajasthan has once again refused to share fertile eggs or male Great Indian Bustards (GIB), pushing one of India's most majestic birds closer to local extinction in Gujarat. Despite securing approval from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change for an innovative egg-replacement strategy - where dummy eggs were to be swapped with fertile ones from Rajasthan's breeding centre - Gujarat's project has failed to take off. The refusal, the third since 2015, has dented Gujarat's hopes, as only three female bustards remain in Kutch's Abdasa region. Although females can nest without mating, their eggs have been infertile in the complete absence of a male. The last time a male GIB was spotted in the region was in Dec 2018. Saying that strategy could have revived one of India's most critically endangered species in Gujarat's wild, senior officials said that the proposal was sent to Rajasthan for approval after the Union ministry's nod. The Gujarat forest department was hoping to implement the proposal this breeding season, which concludes in Oct. "Since it was a ministry proposal, the Rajasthan govt, instead of saying a direct no, said the experiment should be carried out in the wild on its own soil first. If successful, eggs would be shared with other states." Sources said this was the second time the Rajasthan refused to give GIB eggs. Conservation efforts in Gujarat have had their set of challenges. An official said that since 2019, the female GIBs in Abdasa have been laying and incubating infertile eggs and abandoning them some 20 days later. In 2024, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had offered a glimmer of hope by proposing the idea of bringing fertile eggs from Sam in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, and having them hatched by female GIBs sighted in Abdasa. Its suggestion also made the state responsible for monitoring the eggs and ensuring these are protected from predators. This idea was discussed at the 82nd meeting of the National Board of Wildlife held at Sasan in March this year. Minutes of the meeting state, "Dr H S Singh (board chairman) mentioned that there are three female Great Indian Bustards in Gujarat. They lay infertile eggs every year. If some fertile eggs from Rajasthan can be replaced, the GIB population in Gujarat can be recovered." An official added, "Chicks were to hatch and grow in their natural habitat, as those born at the breeding centre are released in the wild only after their third generation is born." WII officials say that a male could have contributed to the local population, as the last known male in the region is believed to have either migrated to Pakistan or have died.
