It has been estimated that in the beginning of this century the population of Royal Bengal Tigers in our country was close to 40,000 and this came down to a mere 2,500 by the year 1982. Considering the alarming decline of the number of tigers the Indian board of wildlife initiated a project to save the tigers from extinction.
This was named project tiger and several tiger reserves have been established. In 1973 there were 9 tiger reserves in the country occupying a total area of 13,017 Sq, kms. Presently there are 17 tiger reserves which not only provide sanctuary to tigers but also protect several endangered species of plants and animals.
Among the plants are some rare Orchids and ferns and among the animals the Lion – tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Wild elephant, gaur and leopard are included. The following table gives a state wise break up of reserves.
State Name of the reserve:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. Karnataka – Bandipur
2. U.P – Corbett
3. M.P. – Kanha
4. Assam – Manas
ADVERTISEMENTS:
5. Maharashtra – Melghat
6. Bihar – Palamau
7. Rajasthan – Ranthambore
8. Orissa – Simlipal
ADVERTISEMENTS:
9. W. Bengal – Sunderbans
10. Kerala – Periyar
11. Rajasthan – Sariska
12. W. Bengal – Buxar
ADVERTISEMENTS:
13. M.P. – Indravati
14. Andhra Pradesh – Nagarjuna Sagar
15. Arunachal Pradesh – Namdapha
16. U.P. – Dudwa
ADVERTISEMENTS:
17. Tamil Nadu – Kalkad Mundanthurai