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ভূগোলGS3
GS3

Buxa Tiger Reserve Prepares for Big Cat Reintroduction

Source:The Hindu ↗

কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

The reintroduction of tigers in reserves like Buxa is vital for understanding India's wildlife management strategies, habitat connectivity, and the challenges of balancing ecological restoration with human-wildlife coexistence, which are recurrent themes in GS3.

সারসংক্ষেপ

The article explains the significance of reintroducing tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, examining the ecological, logistical, and management challenges involved in restoring big cat populations in fragmented landscapes like West Bengal's Duars region. It highlights habitat restoration, prey base enhancement, and community engagement as critical pillars for the success of such conservation initiatives.

মূল বিষয়

  • Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is witnessing renewed focus on tiger reintroduction and habitat restoration.
  • Tiger reintroduction programs involve restoring prey bases, addressing habitat fragmentation, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
  • Successful conservation requires strengthening ecological corridors and ensuring local community support in the Duars landscape.
  • The initiative aligns with India's broader wildlife conservation strategy managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

A statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for strengthening tiger conservation in India by providing oversight, funding, and approvals for tiger reserves.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): Biodiversity, conservation bodies, statutory authorities, and wildlife management.

Source
Project Tiger

Centrally sponsored scheme launched in 1973 by the Government of India to promote tiger conservation, habitat protection, and viable tiger populations across designated reserves.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): Environmental conservation schemes, species protection, and forest management.

Source
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Comprehensive legislation enacted in 1972 to provide protection to wild animals, birds, and plants, and to establish protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): Environmental legislation, wildlife protection acts, and legal frameworks for biodiversity.

Source
West Bengal Forest Department

The nodal state government agency responsible for managing forests, wildlife, and protected areas within West Bengal, executing local conservation and restoration initiatives.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): State-level implementation of wildlife policies, forest administration, and regional conservation projects.

Source

সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা

Environment and Biodiversity Conservation

What is the legal status and composition of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?

  • Statutory Basis: Statutory body established in Dec 2006 by amending the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • Composition: Chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change with an expert Vice-Chairperson.
  • Key Functions: Approves tiger conservation plans, ensures normative standards, and provides statutory backing for Project Tiger.

আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন

  • Tiger Corridors and Transboundary Conservation Diplomacy

    Buxa serves as an international transboundary corridor with Bhutan, linking Indian tiger conservation mandates with regional biodiversity diplomacy and ecological security.

  • Habitat Fragmentation vs Linear Infrastructure Development

    Reintroduction in degraded landscapes highlights the administrative friction between linear infrastructure expansion, tea gardens, and core wildlife habitat protection in North Bengal.

NTCA statutory powers + international corridors (Buxa-Bhutan) will likely be tested via a multi-statement assertion in Prelims.

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 3

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 3

  • 2026PrelimsGS1

    With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park. 3. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Select the answer using the code given below :

  • 2020PrelimsGS1

    Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"?

  • 2012PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following protected areas: 1. Bandipur 2. Bhitarkanika 3. Manas 4. Sunderbans Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?