Consider the following protected areas;

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Bandipur is correct

• Bandipur National Park, Tiger Reserve: Together with Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park (TN) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala), it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
  • Kabini River (a tributary of the Cauvery River) separates the National Park from Nagarhole National Park.
  • Vegetation: Dry & moist deciduous forests, and shrubs.
  • Major Flora: Teak, rosewood, sandalwood, clumping bamboo, Indian laurel and kadam tree.
  • Major Fauna: Indian elephants, gaurs, tigers, sloth bears, chausinghas, dholes, chital, sambar, gray langurs.
  • Threats: Wildlife fatalities by speeding vehicles, cattle grazing, transmission of diseases from cattle to wildlife, deforestation and habitat fragmentation, and invasive species (e.g, Lantana and Parthenium).
  • There is a ban on traffic from 9 pm to 6 am of dusk to dawn to help bing down the death rate of wildlife.

Bhitarkanika is incorrect

• Bhitarkanika National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramsar Site (not listed as Tiger Reserve): Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary separates the National Park from the Bay of Bengal. It is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani & Dhamra.
  • It hosts many mangrove species and is the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
  • Major Fauna: Saltwater (Estuarine) Crocodile (LC).
  • Major Flora: Mangrove species.

Manas is correct

• Manas Biosphere Reserve, National Park, Tiger Reserve, ER: It is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site located on the Himalayan Foothills. It is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park (Bhutan). Manas river (a tributary of Brahmaputra) passes through the heart of the National Park.
  • The bhabar-terai region with riverine succession makes it one of the richest areas of biodiversity.
  • Vegetation: Semi-evergreen forests, moist and dry deciduous forests, savanna woodland, and grasslands.
  • Major Fauna: Hispid hare, pygmy hog, wild water buffalo (EN), rhinoceros (reintroduced in 2007), elephants, sambar, Chinese pangolin, clouded leopards.
  • Major Avifauna: It has the world’s largest population of the endangered Bengal florican. Other major bird species include great hornbills, pelicans, eagles, and herons.

Sunderbans is correct

• Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, National Park, Tiger Reserve, Ramsar Site: Sunderban is the largest delta and mangrove forest in the world. Sundarbans National Park is a part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta and is adjacent to the Sundarban Reserve Forest in Bangladesh.
  • It is bound on the west by river Muriganga and on the east by rivers Harinbhahga and Raimangal.
  • It is also a BR, Tiger Reserve, Ramsar Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Eco-geography of this area is dependent on the tidal effect. The tidal action deposits silts back on the channels, raising the bed and forming new islands and creeks.
  • Vegetation: Mangrove forests (Sundarbans has achieved its name from the Sundari mangrove tree).
  • Major Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, saltwater crocodile, river terrapin, olive ridley turtle, Ganges River dolphin, hawksbill turtle, mangrove horseshoe crab.

Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Easy