UPSC Articles
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
Part of: GS Prelims and and GS III – Conservation
In news: Recently, a rare Melanistic Leopard (commonly known as Black Panther) has been recorded in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) of Maharashtra.
About Melanistic Leopard/Black Panther
- The melanistic leopards are either all-black or very dark in coloration.
- It is a color variant of spotted Indian leopards, reported from densely forested areas of south India.
- Black coat coloration is attributed to the expression of recessive gene in leopards and dominant gene in jaguars.
- In each species, a certain combination of gene stimulates the production of large amounts of the dark skin pigment melanin in the animal’s fur and skin.
- It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect.
- Habitat:
- They are mainly found in Southwestern China, Burma, Nepal, Southern India, Indonesia, and the southern part of Malaysia.
- In India they can be spotted in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra etc.
- Threats: Habitat loss, Collision with vehicles, Diseases, Human encroachment, Poaching.
- Protection Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
- CITES: Appendix I.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
About Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
- NNTR was notified as 46th tiger reserve of India on 12thDecember, 2013.
- Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve has connectivity with the major tiger reserves in Central India like,
- Kanha and Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh,
- Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve in Maharashtra,
- Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh,
- It is also connected to important tiger bearing areas like Umred-Karhandla sanctuary and Brahampuri Division (Maharashtra).
- It is one of the six Tiger reserve of Maharashtra
- Melghat Tiger reserve (1974)
- Tadoba Tiger Reserve (1993)
- Pench Tiger Reserve (1999)
- Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (2007)
- Bor Tiger Reserve (2014)
