Tigers of Central India

[Rishi]

Wildlife under pressure in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

Map showing of USTR and tiger corridor (click here for location).

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In 2018, Chhattisgarh forest department officials had confirmed the presence of a black panther at the 1,842.5 km² Udanti-Sitanadi tiger reserve in Gariyaband district. Forest officials believe this was the first time footage of the rare beast has been captured in that part of India (although soon more photos surfaced from Odisha). Visuals of the black panther were obtained following the installation of over 200 cameras across the tiger reserve for over 80 days from December 2016 to April 2017.

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There may or may not stilll be tigers in Udanti, as some sources claim they have moved towards Sunabeda across the border into Odisha. Last time a male was photographed by camera-trap was in 2017. Tiv Kumar Soni the director Nature and Culture Research Society & the tiger researcher had scanned the reserve with a team and decared that there are no tigers left in Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. There was even an alleged attempt to pass off bear stool as tiger's.

Skin of this tiger from the reserve was later nabbed from poachers.

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Unconfirmed claims by local staff are made about there being atleas a tigress and a subadult tiger in the forest.

The area was already in the center of insurgency for more than a decade and almost completely out if bound for conservation activities. Absence of tigers have caused 90% of the budget of Udanti Sengadi Tiger Reserve to be closed and heavy pressure has been put on the authorities.

Locals pointed out that the forest is full of bears & is visited by migrating elephants, as well as being one of the last places in central India where few dozen wild water buffaloes are still left.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

While it sits on the main tiger corridor that connects Eastern Ghats to Central India, the tiger reserve has had been heavily neglected in near past. 
Even after the total lawlessness it went through, it still is facing severe pressure from encroachers and poachers. Several unregulated brick kilns have come up in the area and there is blatant illegal felling of saal trees. Many small-time settlements have now evolved into full-fledged villages. Most of these encroachers are encouraged by greed of getting certificate under the Forest Rights Act.


There is serious need for attention & overhauling of the condition reserve before it is to late. Reply