Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve

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)