User:Vivek Rai/Sunderbans Tiger Reserve

Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Nearest cityKolkata
Coordinates21°56′42″N 88°53′45″E / 21.94500°N 88.89583°E / 21.94500; 88.89583
Area2,585 km2 (998 sq mi)
Established1973 (1973)
Governing bodyDirectorate of Forest,
Government of West Bengal
World Heritage site1985

Sundarban Tiger Reserve is one of the largest populations of wild tigers (especially Bengal tiger) left in the world. It forms part of Sundarbans National Park which is the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world and covers most parts of South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Geography

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The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 400 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers have developed a unique characteristic of swimming in the saline waters, and are famous for their man-eating tendencies. Tigers can be seen on the river banks sunbathing between November and February.

 
A map of the protected areas of the Indian Sunderbans, showing the boundaries of the Tiger Reserve, the National Park and the three Wildlife Sanctuaries, conservation and lodging centers, subsistence towns, and access points. The entire forested (dark green) area constitutes the Biosphere Reserve, with the remaining forests outside the national park and wildlife sanctuaries being given the status of a Reserve Forest.

Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger; Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Indian Grey Mongoose, Fox, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Pangolin, Chital, are also found in abundance in the Sundarbans.

Census results

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Year of census Spotted deer Rhesus Monitor lizard Wild boar South 24 Parganas Tiger Population Sunderbans Tiger Reserve Tiger Population
Male Female Cub Total Male Female Cub Total Estimated
1973 Incomplete census 50+ 50+
1976 66 72 43 181 181
1977 Sex not determined 205 205
1983 137 115 12 264 264
1989 30,886 126 109 34 269 269
1992 92 132 27 251 251
1993 30,978 37,691 10,272 11,869
1996 95 126 21 242 242
1997 13 16 6 35 99 137 27 263 298
1999 9 16 5 30 96 131 27 254 284
2001 7 13 6 26 93 129 23 245 271
2004 7 14 4 25 83 133 33 249 274

Conservation Efforts

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Category:Tigers