Kawal to Tadoba: Strengthening Tiger Corridors in Central India
- vidyarthee2021
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
In a key conservation move, the Telangana Government has declared the Tiger Corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve (Telangana) with Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) as the Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve. This aims to facilitate unhindered tiger movement and genetic exchange, ensuring long-term sustainability of tiger populations in Central India.
Kawal Tiger Reserve: A Vital Link in Central Indian Tiger Landscape
Location: Situated in the Sahyadri Hills along the Godavari River, in northern Telangana
Ecological Zone: Lies at the southern tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape
Connectivity:
Connected to Tadoba-Andhari TR (Maharashtra)
Also linked to Indravati TR (Chhattisgarh)
Ecosystem Highlights
Forest Types:
Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest
Key Species:
Tigers, Leopards, Nilgai, Chinkara, Fox, Jackals, and other dryland fauna
Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve
Acts as a functional tiger corridor, reducing human-wildlife conflict and enhancing genetic diversity
Important for ensuring safe tiger dispersal routes, a key factor for sustainable tiger conservation under Project Tiger
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 3: Environment and Biodiversity – Wildlife conservation strategies, Protected Area Network
GS Paper 1 (Geography): Role of corridors and landscape ecology in biodiversity
Essay & Ethics: Interdependence of environment and development
📘 Prelims Practice Question:
Q. With reference to Kawal Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:
It is located in Telangana on the banks of River Krishna.
It connects with both Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati Tiger Reserves.
It is classified under moist evergreen forest type.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Kawal TR lies on River Godavari, not Krishna.
Statement 2 is correct: It connects to Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati reserves.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is categorized under dry deciduous forests, not moist evergreen.
✍️ Mains Practice Question (GS Paper 3):
Discuss the importance of wildlife corridors in tiger conservation efforts in India. Examine the role of newly declared Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve in this context.
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