Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve

About Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve:

• Location:
  • Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, popularly known as Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, is spread across 4 districts – Bundi, Kota, Jhalawar & Chittorgarh in Rajasthan.
  • The park is situated in a valley formed by two parallel mountains viz. Mukundra and Gargola.
• It is consisting of three wildlife sanctuaries: Darrah wildlife sanctuary, Chambal wildlife sanctuary and Jaswant Sagar wildlife sanctuary.
• This tiger reserve was once a hunting preserve belonging to the Maharaja of Kota.
• River: It is located on the eastern bank of the Chambal River and is drained by its tributaries.
• Vegetation: Dry Deciduous Forest
• Flora:
  • Anogeissus pendula (Kala Dhok or Kaladhi) is the predominant species, along with Khair (Acacia catechu), Ber (Zizyphus mauratiana), Kakan (Flacourtia indica), Raunj (Acacia lecofolia) etc.
  • On higher slopes, Anogeissus pendula is replaced by Anogeissus latifolia, along with Bel (Aegle marmelos), Salar (Boswellia sarata) Uum (Meliusa tomentosa) and Shisham (Dalbergia latifolia).
• Fauna:
• The important fauna includes Leopard, Sloth bear, Nilgai, Chinkara, Spotted Deer, Small Indian Civet, Toddy Cat, Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Common Langur etc.
• The common reptiles and amphibians are Pythons, Rat Snake, Buff-striped keelbacks, Green keelback, crocodiles, Gharial, Otter and Turtles

 

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Q1) What is a Tiger Reserve?

A protected area statutorily designated for the conservation of the striped big cats is referred to as Tiger Reserve. However, a tiger reserve may also be a national park or wildlife sanctuary.

Source: Full-term pregnant tigress dies in Rajasthan’s Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve