Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502
Vol. 1 (ISC-2011), 265-269 (2012)
Res.J.Recent Sci.

Integrated Biodiversity Management
A case study of Melghat Tiger reserve as a protected area, India
Kazi N.M.
PG and Research Dept. of Geography, SPDM College Shirpur, Dhule, MS, INDIA

Available online at: www.isca.in
(Received 30th October 2011, revised 5th January 2012, accepted 28th January 2012)

Abstract
Recognizing the need to protect tiger, government initiated several measures aimed at conservation and protection of the species.
Significant among them were project tiger, a centrally sponsored scheme launched in April 1973 and the India eco-development
project (October 1997- June 2004) funded by external agencies. Besides, efforts were made to prevent illegal wildlife trade to
ensure a viable population of tiger in India. The main activities of project tiger include wildlife management, protection measure,
and specific eco-development activities. Twenty eight tiger reserve were created in 17 states between 1973-74 and 1999-2000. the
project tiger directorate (PTD) in the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) at New Delhi is responsible for providing
technical guidance, budgetary support, coordination, monitoring, and evolution of project tiger while the management and
implementation of the project rests with the state government concerned. The India eco-development project (IEDP) was a pilot
project initiated with the assistance of the World Bank and the global environment facility to conserve biodiversity through ecodevelopment. The project addressed both the impact of the local population on the protected areas and the impact of the protected
areas on the local population and envisaged to improve the capacity of the protected area management to effectively conserve
biodiversity and support collaboration between the states and the local communities in and around ecologically vulnerable areas.
Melghat tiger reserve, as a protected area in the state of Maharashtra with the potential to hold viable population of the tiger. It is
located in the central high land biotic province of the deccan bio-geographic zone, a largest and oldest tiger reserve in the state
supports typical dry teak forest of the central India. All protected areas in the country are subject to anthropogenic pressures of
various types. The present paper is based on the groundwork of melghat tiger project reserve and secondary data collection with
objectives, need for monitoring tiger and its prey population for assessing the impacts of management interventions of protected
areas as an effective tool for biodiversity conservation.
Keywords: Conservation, bio-geographic, management, anthropogenic.

Introduction
Project tiger is a wildlife conservation project initiated in
India in 1972 to protect the Bengal tigers. It was launched on
April 1, 1973 and has become one of the most successful
wildlife conservation ventures. The project aims at tiger
conservation in specially constituted tiger reserves
representative of various bio-geographical regions
throughout India. It staves to maintain a viable tiger
population in their natural environment.
In 2007, there were more than 40project tiger wildlife
reserves covering an area of 37,761 km2. Project tiger helped
increase the population of these tigers from 1,200 in the
1970s to 3,500 in 1990s. However, a 2008 census held by
government of India revealed that the tiger population had
dropped to 1,411. Since then the government has pledged
US$ 153 million1 to further fund the project, set-up a Tiger
Protection Force to combat poachers, and has relocated more
than 200,000 villages to minimize human-tiger interaction.
The efforts did pay-off when in July 2010, the Sariska Tiger
Reserve, whose tiger population was nearly wiped out in
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2005, had a recorded tiger population of and according to
census 2010, the total population of this big cat in India is
1750 as increased
The Study Area: Melghat tiger reserve is located on
southern offshoot of the Satpura hill range in central India,
also called Gavilgarh hills. The high ridge running east-west
which has highest point at Vairat (1178m above MSL) forms
the south western boundary of the reserve. It is a prime
habitat of tiger. The forest is tropical dry deciduous in nature,
dominated by teak (Tectona grandis).
The area is catchment to the five major rivers viz Khndu,
Khapra, Sipna, Gadga and Dolar, all of which are tributaries
of the river Tapi. The north-eastern boundary of the reserve
is marked by river Tapi. Melghat is prime biodiversity
repository of the Maharashtra state2.
Nature has offered protection to Melghat in the form of
rugged topography with only few entry points. The Makhala,
Chikhaldara, Chiladari, Patulda and Gugamal are the large
plateau amidst rugged terrain. Continuity of forests in
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Vol. 1 (ISC-2011), 265-269 (2012)
Res.J.Recent Sci.
Satpura Hill Range, guarantees long term conservation
potential of the area3.

the principles out lined below. Elimination of all forms of
human exploitation and biotic disturbance from the core area
and rationalization of activities in the buffer zone. Restricting
the habitat management only to repair the damages done to
the eco-system by human and other interferences so as to
facilitate recovery of the eco-system to its natural state.
Monitoring the faunal and floral changes over time and
carrying out research about wildlife.
The project tiger was meant to identify the limiting factors
and to mitigate them by suitable management. the damages
done to the habitat were to be rectified so as to facilitate the
recovery of the ecosystem to the maximum possible extent.
Hypothesis: conservation of tigers and their prey species
faces challenges from the need for income, lack of
awareness, and lack of land use policy in landscapes having
tiger reserves. These landscapes should be viewed as a
mosaic of different land use patterns, viz. tiger conservation
and preservation, forestry, sustainable use and development,
besides socio-economic growth.

Material and Methodology
A tiger atlas of India and a tiger habitat and population
evaluation system for the country is being developed using
state-of-the-art technology. This involves: mapping, data
acquisition and GIS modeling. Field data collection and
validation. Data maintenance, dissemination and use.

Figure – 1
India: State-wise Distribution of Protected Areas
Melghat area was declared a tiger reserve in 1974, presently,
the total area of the reserve is 1676.93 sq.km. The core area
of the reserve, the gugarnal national park with an area of
361.28 sq.km. and buffer area of the reserve, the Melghat
tiger sanctuary with an area of 788.28 sq. km. (of which
21.39 sq.km. is non-forest) were together re-notified by the
state government in 1994 as melghat sanctuary. The
remaining area is management as „multiple use area‟.
previously, Melghat tiger sanctuary was created in 1985 with
an area of 1,59,7.23 sq.km. Gugarnal National Park was
carved out of this sanctuary in 19874.
Aims and objectives: At the turn of 20th century, one
estimate of the tiger population in india placed the figure at
45,000. The first ever all-India tiger census was conducted in
1972 which revealed the existence of only 1872 tigers5. A
recent report published by the national tiger conservation
authority estimates only 1411 adult tigers in existence in
India (plus uncensored tigers in the sunderbans). The project
was launched in 1973, and various tiger reserves were
created in the country based on a „core-buffer‟ strategy.
Management plans were drawn up for each reserve based on

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Satellite data is being used and classified into vegetation and
land use maps on a 1:50,000 scale, with digitized data
relating to contour, villages, road, drainage, administrative
boundaries and soil. the spatial layers would be attached with
attribute data, viz. human population, livestock population,
meteorological data, agricultural information and field
pertaining to wildlife, habitat for evolving regional protocols
to monitor tiger and its habitat.
Review of Literature: Botanical Survey of India (BSI) was
involved in preparation flora of Melghat. Zoological survey
of India (ZSI) has completed a 3- year survey of the area.
The survey documentation is in progress. Medicinal plant
conservation area has been established with the help of
foundation for revitalization of local health traditions
(FRLHT,) Bangalore. Wildlife institute of India (WII) has
completed 3-year research project on management of
biodiversity in central India. Another project on integrated
bio-diversity management in Satpura hill range has been
initiated. few research works regarding the bio geographical
studies done by the scholar of Amravati university and
Bombay natural history society on Melghat tiger reserve has
referred.
Conservation History: Melghat area was declared a tiger
reserve in 1974, presently; the total area of the Reserve is

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1976.93 sq.km. The core area of the reserve, the Guarnal
national park with an area of 361.28 sq.km., and buffer area
of the Reserve, the Melgaht Tiger Sanctuary with an area of
788.28 sq.km. (of which 21.39 sq.km. is non-forest) were
together re-notified by the state government in 1974 as
Melghat Sanctuary. The remaining area is management as
„multiple use area‟. Previously, Melghat Tiger Sanctuary was
created in 1985 with an area of 1597.23 sq.km. Gugarnal
National Park was carved out of this Sanctuary in 1987. The
Gavilghar fort on the Chikhaldara plateau and Narnala fort
abetting South Eastern part of Melghat Tiger Reserve add to
the aesthetic values of the area. The visitors to these
archeological monuments enjoy serene forests in the
backdrop.
Table- 1
Animal Census
Sr.No.

Animal

2001

2004

2007

2010

71

71

72

74

1

Tiger

2
3
4
5

Leopard
Gaur
Sambar
Chousinga

57
2973
2791
132

57
2139
2796
142

69
1528
2793
138

82
1765
2517
144

6

Nilgai

254

268

285

236

7

Barking Deer

1565

1672

1119

1342

8

Wild boar

3988

3356

2178

2032

9

Monkey

4995

5089

658

758

10

Sloth bear

136

185

201

198

11
12
13
14

Cheetal
Wild dog
Hyena
Jackal

265
139
50
97

238
202
42
51

421
296
49
95

321
294
37
61

Major flora and Fauna: More than 700 naturalized plant
species have been enlisted in Flora of Melghat. These species
belong to about 400 genera representing as many as 97
families. There are 90 tree spp., 66 shrubs spp., 316 herbs
spp., 56 climbers, 23 sedges and 99 grass species along with
60-70 newly identified species. Teak is the predominant tree
species. The common associated are Lagerstroemia
parviflora, Lannea coromandelica, Emblica officinalis,
Terminalia tomentosa, Anogeissus Latifolia and Oujenia
oojeinesis, Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) is wide spread.
Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Jackal,
Sambar, Gaur, Barking deer, Nilgai, Cheetal, Chousinga,
Ratel, Flying Squirrel, Wild boar, Langur, Rhesus monkey,
Porcupine, Pangolin, Mouse deer Python, Otter, Black
napped hare.
Management and Initiatives: Protection and habitat
management are the main inputs. Issues related to high

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degree of man-animal conflict are tackled on priority basis 6.
The reserve area has been divided into three zones for
management and to strike a balance between the biodiversity
conservation and ecologically sustainable community
development, through this there are certain achievementsCanopy of forest has improved to a great extent. The
population of various wild animals has increased. All forest
exploitation activities like timber harvesting, fuel wood
harvesting, strict protection from poaching and strict fire
control. The database on faunal and floral attributes and other
wildlife related activities have been created. More than 50
publications. Staff and laborers have been trained in
activities like population estimation of animals, wildlife
management and other activities.
Eco-development activities on pilot basis were taken up. The
encouraging success was followed up with Eco-development
planning under guidance of WII and Nations Development
Programmed (UNDP). The response of local people is
encouraging. Village Forest Protection Committee has been
established in village Gullarghat, which has taken up the
responsibility of Medicinal Plant Conservation. Similar
committees will be established soon in few other villages.
During monsoon special protection squads carry foot
patrolling, to curb hunting of sambar and wild boar by local
people. Similar squads are established during summer, for
fire protection works. A Nature education and interpretation
centre has been established at Semadoh. Around 50 thousand
people visit this centre annually. Two orientation centers at
Akot and Harisal, and an interpretation centre at Amravati
are also working.

Discussion
Certain constraints and conflicts found in the impact
assessment of this Protected Area7. There are no villages in
the core area. There are 61 villages in the Reserve- 22
villages in the buffer zone and 39 villages in the Multiple
Use Area. The human population in buffer zone and MUA is
9160 and 15506 respectively as per 1991 census. The
inhabitants are mainly tribal, largely Korku tribe (80%) and
others like Gond, Nihal, Balai, Gaolan, Gawali, Halbi,
Wanjari etc.The livestock population of 22 villages in the
buffer zones is 11024 and that of 39 villages in Multiple Use
Area is 15642 as per census. There is gregarious spread of
Lantana Camara and Hyptis sauveolens. Lantana is found in
almost all valleys and village surroundings, where constant
takes place. However it is absent on slopes. Lantana and
hyptis have spread to roughly 30 per cent and 20 per cent of
the area respectively. No grazing exists in the core area. The
remaining area is burdened with grazing pressures of 25 to
30 thousand livestock heads. However the grazing is intense
around villages and in broad valleys which are also better
habitats for wild herbivores as they are the only sites with
water availability. There are few incidences (on an average
12 cases per annum) of fire in the core area, affecting 10 per

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Res.J.Recent Sci.
cent of the area. Fires in the buffer and multiple use area of
the reserve are frequent. The grassy tops of the hills (locally
called „ballas‟) are prone to fire. The rugged terrain makes
the fire protection a difficult job. Almost 20 per cent of the
gets burns annually. Poaching is rare in the core. Hunting of
sambar and wild boar is done by local people. Collection of
medicinal plants like Musli (Chlorophyllum tuberosum) is
also noticed. Tiger prey base in Melghat includes gaur,
Sambar, Barking deer, Wild boar, Cheetal and Chousinga8.
However Gaur and Sambar are in low densities. Chital, is
found in few pockets and does not contribute much to the
prey base Thus, the domestic cattle substantially contribute
towards the prey base, 400-500 cattle are kills by tiger and
leopard annually. Quite naturally, this is a matter of conflict.
Injuries and killing of human beings by tiger, leopard and
sloth bears is another conflict. The magnitude is indicated by
the following statistics.
Table-2
Sr.
No.
1
2
3

Year

No. of persons injured

2010
2007
2004

07 (3 Tigers, 4 Sloth Bear)
09 (2 Tiger, 7 Sloth Bear)
06 (1Tiger,5Sloth Bear)

No. of
persons dead
02 (Tiger)
01 (Tiger)
-

Government. This calls for a cross-sector and crossdisciplinary approach.
Tiger now need a “preservationist” approach. Regional
planning is important around Tiger Reserve to foster
ecological connectivity between protected areas through
restorative inputs with integrated land use planning10. The
management plan of a Tiger Reserve, therefore, needs to be
integrated in larger regional management plans. Apart from
this, certain suggestions are maybe the core outcome of this
assessment of the Protected Area in conservation of
biodiversity- Finalization of legal status of core and buffer
area as National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary respectively.
Establishment of strike force to strengthen protection.
Rehabilitation of few villages from buffer on priority, Ecodevelopment in villages in the Multiple Use Area., Joint
Forest Management., Staff orientation and training to
improve the management capabilities and to provide them
adequate essentialities to get their commitment. Building up
of research and monitoring database to support conservation
activities.

References
1.

People set fire to the forest to facilitate collection of NTFP,
use destructive methods of harvesting gums, honey, fruits,
flower, roots, tubers, medicinal plants etc. The local people
have almost free access for firewood, small timber, bamboo
and grasses. All this dependence is not quantified; presently
the dependence on forest produce is not causing any evident
impact on the forest.

Setting Priority for Conservation and Recovery of Wild
Tigers, Technical Assessment, WCS, WWF
Smithsonian and NFWF-STF. New York, Washington
D.C. (2005-2015)

2.

Karanth K.U. and Kumar N.S., Distribution and
Dynamics of Tiger and Prey Population in Maharashtra,
India Fin. Tech. Rep. Centre for Wildlife Studies,
Bangalore, India (2005)

Conclusion

3.

Karanth K.U. and Mel Sunquist, Prey Selection by
Tiger, Leopard and Dhole in Tropical Forests, J. Animal
Ecology, 64 (4) (1995)

4.

Mehta P., A Study on the Impact of Forestry practices
on Bird Communities of Satpura Hills, Ph.D. Thesis,
Saurashtra University (2000)

5.

Rodgers W.A. and H.S. Panwar., Planning a Wildlife
Protected Area Network in India, Wild life Institute of
India,, Deheradun (1988)

6.

Floyed T.J. and david L. Mechand Peter Jordan.
Relating Wolf Scat Content to Prey Consumed, J.
Wildlife Management 42 (3), (1978)

7.

Ackerman B., Frederick Lindzey and Thomas Hemker,
Cougar Food Habits in Southern Utah, J. Wild.
Management 48 (1), (1974)

8.

Melghat Tiger Project, field visit and ground work(2004-2005, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008)

Wildlife protection and crime risk management in the present
scenario requires a widely distributed Information Network,
using state-of-the-art information and communication
technology9. This becomes all the more important to ensure
the desired level of protection in field formations to
safeguard the impressive gains of a focused project like
„Project Tiger‟. The important elements in Wildlife
protection and control are: Mapping/Plotting the risk factors,
sensitivity categorization, crime mapping and immediate
action for apprehending the offenders based on effective
networking and communication. Space technology has
shown the interconnectivity of natural and anthropogenic
phenomena occurring anywhere on earth. Several Tiger
Reserves are being liked with the Project Tiger Directorate in
the GIS domain for Wildlife Crime Risk Management. Tiger
habitats exist in environment of thousands of indigenous
communities that depend on them. Therefore we cannot view
these protected areas in isolation from the surrounding socioeconomic realities and developmental priorities of the

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Vol. 1 (ISC-2011), 265-269 (2012)
Res.J.Recent Sci.
9.

Where can tigers live in future, Framework for
identifying high priority areas for conservation of tigers
in the wild. In Riding the Tiger, Tiger Conservation in
human dominated landscapes Seidensticker, J., Christie,
S., and Jackson, P. (Ed). Cambridge University Press

10. Wikramanayake E.D., Dinerstein E. and Robinson J.G.,
Karanth K.U., Rabinowitz A., Olson D., Matthew T.,
Hedao P., Conner M., Hemley G., and Bolze, D (1999)
11. Dinerstein E., Loucks C., Heydlauff A., Wikramnayke
E., Brian G., Foreest J., Ginsberg J., Klengendon S.,
Leingruber P., T. O‟Brien, S. Seindsticker, M. Songer
(2006)

LEGEND
Tiger

6000

Leopard

5000

Gaur
4000

Sambar
Chousinga

3000

Nilgai
2000

Barking
Deer
Wild boar

1000

Monkey
0
2001

2004

2007

2010

Figure-2
Animal Census, Growth Trend

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