Valmiki Tiger Reserve

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Valmiki Tiger Reserve

News: Recently an increase in tiger numbers in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar was attributed to diminished human activity, including bans on mining.

Few facts:
• A complete prohibition of sand and stone mining within VTR, coupled with stringent restrictions on mining in its eco-sensitive zone, helped increase grassland cover.
• As a result, tiger numbers in the protected area rose to 54 in 2023, up from 31 in 2018 and 28 in 2014.

Key Features:
• The Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the West Champaran District of Bihar, India. It forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India.
• The reserve is traversed by several rivers. The Gandak River forms the western boundary of the reserve. Other rivers flowing through the reserve include the Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa.
• The vegetation is a combination of Bhabar and Terai regions. The reserve’s vegetation includes forests, grasslands, and riverine ecosystems. The mixed moist deciduous vegetation along the alluvial plains of the Gandak River is dominated by sal (Shorea robusta), rohini (Mallotus phillipensis) and sihor (Strebulus asper).
• Flora - Sal, Karam, Asan, Bahera, Asidh, Simal, Jamun, Gular, Satsal, etc
• Fauna - Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic elephants, Asiatic black bears, Indian sloth bears, otters, Indian leopards, wild dogs, wild water buffalo, Indian bison (Gaur), Nilgai.