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Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, is a significant protected area renowned for its diverse flora and fauna. Covering an expansive landmass with varied terrain and intersected by numerous rivers, this sanctuary has a rich history of conservation and preservation efforts.
With its abundant plant species and thriving animal populations, Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary is an important ecological hotspot deserving of scholarly attention.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this sanctuary’s geographical features, historical significance, and the remarkable biodiversity it supports.
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary Overview
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Situated in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh. Borders UP and is strategically located at the tri-junction of Chhattisgarh, UP, and MP. |
| History | Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1978, became part of the Sarguja Jashpur Elephant Reserve in 2011. In 2022, it was declared a tiger reserve alongside Guru Ghasidas National Park. |
| Terrain | Features undulating hilly terrain with plateaus, valleys, plains, and both rocky and loose soil. |
| Rivers | Bounded by the Moran River to the north, Bonga Nalla to the east, and Rihand River to the west. The drainage pattern is dominated by rivers like Pingla Nalla. |
| Flora | Dominated by sal forests, mixed deciduous forests, bamboo brakes, and trees such as sal, teak, bamboo, mahua, jamun, and semal. |
| Fauna | Home to mammals like tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, bears, and wild boars, as well as birds like hornbills, peafowl, eagles, and vultures. Reptiles present include cobras, pythons, and monitor lizards. |
| Significance | The sanctuary is an important habitat for tigers and elephants. It acts as a migration corridor for animals and is known for its rich biodiversity. It is a critical site for wildlife conservation. |
| Conclusion | The sanctuary, crucial as a Protected Area since 1978, was upgraded to a tiger reserve in 2022. It plays a vital role in preserving the region’s fragile ecological balance. |
Introduction
The Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh, India, is a protected area that has recently gained recognition as a Tiger Reserve, emphasizing its role in conserving the critically endangered Bengal tiger.
Established in 1978 and covering an area of approximately 608 square kilometers, the sanctuary is named after the Tamor hill and Pingla Nalla.
In 2011, it was declared part of the Sarguja Jashpur Elephant Reserve by the state government due to its importance in providing habitat and migration corridors for endangered Asian elephants.
More recently, in 2022, it was accorded even higher conservation status as a Tiger Reserve along with Guru Ghasidas National Park.
With its diverse terrain and rich biodiversity, including undulating hills, flat plains, and flowing rivers, this sanctuary plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation efforts.
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 1978 |
| Area | 608.51 km2 |
| Habitat | Mixed deciduous Forest |
| Biographic zone | Deccan Peninsula |
| Animals | Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Bluebull, Spotted Deer, Gour, Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Wolf, Golden Jackal, Striped Hyena, Hare; Red Jungle Fowl, Brown Jungle Fowl, Green Pigeon |
| Plants | Sal, Teak, Bamboo, Semol, Mahua, Harro, Ber, Tendu |
Location
Located in the northern part of Chhattisgarh, the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a crucial wildlife corridor and protected area for conservation efforts in central India. Situated at the tri-junction of Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, its strategic location allows for the movement and migration of animals such as elephants and tigers between these states.
Sharing its northern boundary with Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary’s forests extend up to the interstate border. The sanctuary is flanked by Korea district to its east and Surguja district to its south. Covering parts of the Ghui and Barpetta ranges, it features diverse terrain including plateaus, valleys, and plains fed by rivers and streams from surrounding highlands.
This geographical diversity contributes to the sanctuary’s rich biodiversity.
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary Location Map
Terrain
Characterized by undulating, hilly terrain interspersed with valleys and plains, the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary exhibits a diverse mosaic of habitats due to its rocky substratum and hilly landscape.
The sanctuary is located in the highlands of Surguja division, with elevations ranging from 300 to over 600 meters above sea level. The prominent features within the sanctuary include the Tamor hill, Khond hill, Pingla hill, and Barpetia hill. These hills are surrounded by valleys and plains that contribute to the varied topography of the area.
The rocky soil present in this region makes it prone to erosion, resulting in exposed rocky outcrops in certain parts of the sanctuary. This unique combination of undulating terrain and rocky substrate supports a variety of vegetation types such as mixed deciduous forests, sal groves, and bamboo brakes.
Rivers
Bounded by major rivers on three sides, the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary is situated within a riverine landscape that provides essential water sources for the diverse flora and fauna. The sanctuary’s northern boundary is defined by the Moran river, which originates in the Maikal hills and flows southwest before forming the sanctuary’s limits.
To the east, the Bonga Nalla fringes the sanctuary, draining the eastern slopes of its hills before meeting with the Rihand river downstream. The Rihand river demarcates the western boundary of the sanctuary, separating it from Madhya Pradesh’s forests.
Within the sanctuary itself, numerous rivers and streams dominate its drainage pattern. The most significant among them is Pingla Nalla, which flows through the heart of the sanctuary in a southwest direction. These rivers and their tributaries provide perennial water sources for wildlife within Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary while shaping its undulating landscape and creating diverse habitats suitable for thriving flora and fauna.
History
The history of the area surrounding Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary is marked by significant milestones in conservation efforts. In 1978, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary, providing official recognition and protection to the biodiversity-rich forests.
In 2011, it gained further prominence with its inclusion in the Sarguja Jashpur Elephant Reserve, acknowledging its crucial role in preserving migration corridors for Asian elephant herds.
The most recent milestone came in 2022 when it was declared a Tiger Reserve along with the adjoining Guru Ghasidas National Park. This upgraded conservation status aims to strengthen protection for tigers in the area.
The progressive expansion of its conservation status highlights Tamor Pingla’s ecological significance and its ability to provide critical habitat for endangered mega-fauna such as elephants and tigers. Its promotion as a tiger reserve will enhance overall ecosystem conservation efforts.
Flora
Flora in the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary is diverse and includes species such as sal, teak, bamboo, mahua, semal, jamun, harra, and arjun.
The sanctuary exhibits a range of vegetation types including sal forests that dominate the hill slopes and valleys. Sal trees are highly valued for their timber and provide important leaf fodder. Mixed deciduous forests with a richer tree diversity also occur in lower hill slopes and plains areas of the sanctuary. Bamboo brakes or dense bamboo thickets are another notable vegetation type present.
The sanctuary’s flora supports various wildlife species by providing habitat, food sources, and shelter. Notable medicinal plants found here include mahua, jamun, harra, and arjun.
Fauna
Birdlife in the sanctuary is diverse and includes species such as hornbills, Indian peafowl, green pigeons, jungle fowl, and vultures.
The mixed forests within the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary provide an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species. Spectacular sightings of hornbills, known for their large size and colorful plumage, add to the richness of avian life in the sanctuary.
The presence of Indian peafowl adds a touch of elegance with their distinctive iridescent feathers. Green pigeons are also commonly observed in this area. Jungle fowl, which are native to India, contribute to the diversity of birdlife.
Additionally, vultures play an important ecological role as scavengers within the ecosystem.
Overall, the sanctuary offers a haven for these avian species and provides valuable opportunities for birdwatching enthusiasts to appreciate their beauty and ecological significance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity and ecological balance of the region. As a Tiger Reserve, it provides essential habitat for endangered Bengal tigers, ensuring their survival and contributing to global tiger conservation efforts.
The sanctuary also serves as a significant corridor for Asian elephants, facilitating their migration between Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. By protecting these keystone species, the sanctuary helps maintain the delicate balance of ecosystems within its boundaries.
Moreover, the diverse range of habitats found in Tamor Pingla supports a wide array of mammal, bird, and reptile species. The sanctuary has been instrumental in safeguarding wildlife since its establishment as a Protected Area in 1978.
Its continued protection is vital for maintaining regional biodiversity and promoting sustainable conservation practices.
