Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

Why in News?

Recently, a 4 year-old tigress that entered the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) earlier this year and remained there throughout the intense summer has renewed optimism about the revival of the reserve's tiger population.

• Location –Chhattisgarh.
• Formation – It was created by merging the areas of the former Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary and Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• River System – The reserve's drainage network is dominated by the Mahanadi River, along with its tributaries—the Udanti River, Sitanadi River, Indravati River, and Pairi River.
• Ecological Importance – The reserve occupies a strategically important position, linking the Kanker and North Kondagaon forest divisions and forming a continuous forest corridor with the Indravati Tiger Reserve in the Bastar region.
• Topography – The landscape includes 19 identified hills and mountains.
• Deo Dongri is the highest peak, while Atanga Dongar is regarded as the most prominent mountain in the reserve.
• Vegetation and Flora – The reserve is characterized mainly by tropical dry and moist deciduous forests.
• Sal (Shorea robusta) is the dominant tree species, forming extensive dense forest patches.
• Other important plant species include Teak (Tectona grandis), Bamboo, Tendu, Mahua, Bija, and Harra, which contribute significantly to the area's biodiversity.
• Faunal Diversity
• The critically important and highly endangered Wild Buffalo population,
• Bengal Tiger,
• Indian Wolf,
• Indian Leopard,
• Sloth Bear, and
• Mouse Deer.
• The reserve remains an important conservation landscape in central India due to its role in maintaining wildlife connectivity and protecting endangered species.

Reference

The Indian Express| USTR