Madhav National Park, located in Shivpuri district, has officially been declared a tiger reserve, becoming the eighth in Madhya Pradesh. The National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) technical committee approved the proposal to notify the park as a tiger reserve, marking a significant step in the state’s wildlife conservation efforts.
L. Krishnamurthy, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), revealed that the tiger reserve will span a total area of 1,751 square kilometers, comprising a 375-square-kilometer core zone and a 1,276-square-kilometer buffer zone. The NTCA has also sanctioned the release of one male and one female tiger into the reserve to establish a viable population.
The proposal, initiated under the directives of Chief Minister Dr. Shivraj Singh Yadav, aims to enhance wildlife conservation and bolster eco-tourism in the region. Krishnamurthy highlighted that this initiative would not only improve wildlife management in Madhav National Park but also benefit nearby Kuno National Park and contribute to the development of local communities.
Madhya Pradesh is often referred to as the “Tiger State of India” and previously had seven tiger reserves: Satpura, Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Sanjay-Dubri, and the recently established Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, which was declared in September 2023.
The addition of Madhav National Park reinforces the state’s commitment to wildlife preservation, with hopes that it will further solidify its status as a leading hub for tiger conservation in the country.