The Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), situated in Jharkhand, is the last stronghold of the Gaur (Bos gaurus) in the state. Recently, there has been an alarming decline in the population of this important bovid species within the reserve.
The reserve is located on the western side of the Latehar district, on the Chhotanagpur plateau in Jharkhand. It forms a part of the Betla National Park, a significant wildlife habitat in the region. PTR spans a total area of 1,014 square kilometers, with a core area of 414 sq.km. and a buffer zone of 600 sq.km.
Palamau Tiger Reserve is one of the first nine tiger reserves created in India under the launch of Project Tiger in the early 1970s. The reserve also has the distinction of being the first in the world where a tiger census was conducted by counting tiger pugmarks (footprints) as early as 1932, under the supervision of J.W. Nicholson. This makes PTR a pioneer in tiger conservation efforts.
The reserve features an undulating terrain characterized by valleys, hills, and plains. Three rivers—North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha—flow through these valleys. Among them, the Burha River is the only perennial river, providing a critical water source in this drought-prone area. The presence of these rivers supports the reserve’s diverse flora and fauna.
Geologically, PTR’s terrain consists mainly of gneiss, with deposits of granite and limestone. The region is mineral-rich, particularly in bauxite and coal, which are economically important but present potential environmental challenges due to mining activities nearby.
The forest cover in the Palamau region mainly comprises moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests. The major tree species include Sal (Shorea robusta), which dominates the canopy, and bamboo, which forms the undergrowth. This diverse vegetation supports the rich wildlife population in the reserve.
Palamau Tiger Reserve hosts several key and keystone species important for ecosystem balance:
Tiger (the flagship species)
Asiatic Elephant
Leopard
Grey Wolf
Wild Dog (Dhole)
Gaur (Indian Bison)
Sloth Bear
Four-Horned Antelope
The reserve plays a crucial role in conserving these species, especially the gaur, whose population is now declining sharply. The gaur is vital to the forest ecosystem as a large herbivore, and its decline could have cascading effects on biodiversity.
The decline in the gaur population signals several underlying issues, which may include habitat degradation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and pressure from nearby mining and human settlements. Being a drought-prone area with limited perennial water sources, Palamau faces ecological stress, making conservation efforts more difficult but also more critical.
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In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
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