TOPIC: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
- “Project Tiger” was launched in 1973 with an aim to conserve the National Animal of India.
- It is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to provide central assistance to the Tiger range states for in-situ tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves.
- The project is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), formed in 2005, which is a statutory body under the MoEF&CC and was formed under the enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- It is also conducts the country level assessment of the status of tiger, co-predators, prey and habitat every four years.
- There are 49 Tiger Reserves in India.
- Andhra Pradesh
- Nagarjunsagar Srisailam (largest)
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Namdapha
- Pakke
- Assam
- Manas
- Nameri
- Kaziranga
- Orang
- Bihar
- Valmiki
- Chattisgarh
- Indravati
- Udanti-Sitanadi
- Achanakmar
- Jharkhand
- Palamau
- Karnataka
- Biligiri Ranganatha Temple
- Nagarahole
- Bhadra
- Bandipur
- Kali (earlier Dandeli-Anshi)
- Kerala
- Periyar
- Parambikulam
- Madhya Pradesh
- Kanha
- Pench
- Bandhavgarh
- Panna
- Satpura
- Sanjay-Dubri
- Maharashtra
- Bor
- Nawegaon-Nagzira
- Sahyadri
- Tadoba-Andhari
- Melghat
- Pench
- Mizoram
- Dampa
- Odisha
- Satkosia
- Simlipal
- Rajasthan
- Ranthambore
- Sariska
- Mukandra Hills
- Tamil Nadu
- Sathyamangalam
- Mudumalai
- Anamalai
- Kalakad-Mundanthurai
- Telangana
- Kawal
- Amrabad
- Nagarjunsagar Srisailam
- Uttar Pradesh
- Dudhwa
- Pilibhit
- Uttarakhand
- Rajaji
- Corbett
- West Bengal
- Sunderbans
- Buxa
- In addition, in-principle approval has been given to Ratapni (MP), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chattisgarh)
- The states have been asked to send proposals for declaring Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), Mhadei (Goa), Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu), Dibang (Arunachal Pradesh) and Cauveri-MM Hills (Karnataka) as tiger reserves.