Thanks to the government’s “Save Tiger” campaign, the tiger population in Sawai Madhopur’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) is on a constant boom. On the other hand, Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve—Rajasthan’s third biggest cat habitat hadn’t received any ‘big cat’s yet. Seeing the escalating numbers number of tigers at Ranthambore, Rajasthan government is all set to dispatch some “furry guests” to the Mukundara Hills. MHTR is gearing up to welcome a brand new tiger couple by December 2017.
The government has been pondering over the relocation of tigers since last couple of days. Recently, a village volunteer captured a tigress (T79) with her cub in Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary, Bhaironpur. The forest officers suspect the tigress to have more than one cub. T42- a macho, dominant male tiger in that region could be the father of these newborn cubs.
Likewise, another tigress (T69) residing in the Thumka region of RTR was seen with her cubs. This new discovery led Ranthambore officers to count the number of tigers at Sawai Madhopur. To their surprise, the total tiger population in Rathambore comprises of 60 adults and 16-17 cubs—a fact informed by Wildlife and Field Director Mr. YK Sahu.
The forest department of Rajasthan recognized Mukundara Hills as an extension of Ranthambore’s core forest area. The Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve may not have tigers of its own but it served as a wandering habitat for our four legged friends. Spread over an area of 417 square kilometers, the Mukundara reserve covers dense forests in Jhalawar, Chittorgarh, Bundi and Kota. The hills serve as homes to mixed animal population in Jawahar Sagar, Chambal Wilflide Sanctuary and Darrah.
This woodland will soon ease the tiger population pressure in Ranthambore. Rajasthan’s lush green Hadoti region comprises of a buffer zone (covering 342.82 square kilometer). The area is large enough to accommodate the fast-expanding families of big cats. Rajasthan forest officers have already shifted a male tiger to Sariska. If all goes well, the MHTR will soon give a warm welcome to its new tiger couple. Needless to say, the hills will brighten up with little paws fleeting across the forests.
