Daily News Analysis

Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT Tiger Reserve)

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Recently, eviction notices have been served to two prominent religious institutions and two businessmen within the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple area as part of conservation efforts.

Location:

  • The Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve is located in the Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills), in the Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka, India.

  • The reserve is situated at an elevation of 5,091 feet above sea level and lies between the Western and Eastern Ghats, making it a unique bio-geographical bridge.

History and Significance:

  • The BRT Tiger Reserve was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2011.

  • The reserve derives its name from the Biligiri (meaning "white rocky cliff") and the Rangaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located atop the hill.

  • The hills are often covered by white mist and silvery clouds, giving the area a serene and mystical aura.

Flora and Vegetation:

  • The reserve's vegetation is diverse, encompassing a range of forest types:

    • Scrub forests

    • Dry deciduous forests

    • Moist deciduous forests

    • Shola forests

    • Montane grasslands

  • Major plant species include:

    • Anogeissus latifolia

    • Dalbergia paniculata

    • Grewia teliaefolia

    • Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia paniculata, among others.

Fauna:

The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including some of India's most iconic species:

  • Tigers

  • Elephants

  • Leopards

  • Wild dogs

  • Bison

Tribal Community:

  • The Soliga tribe is the indigenous tribal community living within the tiger reserve. The Soligas were the first tribal community in India to have their forest rights recognized through a court judgment in 2011.

  • They have a deep understanding of the forest ecosystem and play an integral role in the reserve’s conservation efforts.

Conservation Importance:

  • The BRT Tiger Reserve plays a crucial role in tiger conservation and preserving the biodiversity of the Western Ghats region.

  • The presence of a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endangered species, makes it an important conservation site.


 

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