Critical Tiger Habitat

22.05.2024

Critical Tiger Habitat

Why in the news?

           Recently, the Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government to shutter 68 mines operating within a 1-kilometer periphery of the critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the Sariska reserve.

About Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH):

• It is also known as core areas of tiger reserves which are identified under the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA), 1972.
• These are based on scientific evidence that "such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers".
• The notification of CTH is done by the state government in consultation with the expert committee constituted for the purpose.

Key facts about Sariska Tiger Reserve:

• It is located in the Alwar district ofRajasthan. It is well nestled in the Aravali Hills.
• It is the first reserve in the world to successfully relocate tigers.
• This tiger reserve is also famous for old temples, palaces and lakes such as Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake and JaiSamand Lake.
• Vegetation:It comprises scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills.
• Fauna:Jungle cats, rhesus macaque, sambhar, chital, wild boar, etc.
• Flora:90% of the area in the sanctuary is covered with dhok trees.

○Other species found include salar, kadaya, gol, ber, Banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, adusta, etc.

                                                         Source: Indian Express

Question - Consider the following statements:

Statement-I

 Critical Tiger Habitats are identified under the WildLife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972.

Statement-II

Critical Tiger Habitats are notified by the central government in consultation with the expert committee.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C