Bihar’s New 2nd Tiger Reserve

The Central Government has officially approved the establishment of Bihar’s 2nd Tiger Reserve in Kaimur district. The proposal, put forward by the state government, aims to convert the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a dedicated tiger reserve in Bihar.

This move strengthens the state’s conservation efforts and answers a long-standing ecological need.

Approval and Announcement

The announcement of the 2nd Tiger Reserve in Bihar was made on October 8, 2024, by Prem Kumar, Bihar’s Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister. The plan was approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and its technical committee at their 12th meeting.

This makes Kaimur Tiger Reserve the second official tiger reserve in Bihar, joining the Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

Why Bihar Needs a 2nd Tiger Reserve

• Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), located in West Champaran, is currently Bihar's only tiger reserve.

• The Status of Tigers Report 2022 revealed that VTR’s tiger population grew from 31 in 2018 to 54 in 2022, surpassing its carrying capacity of 45 tigers.

• A 2nd Tiger Reserve is crucial for easing this pressure and ensuring the sustainable conservation of Bengal tigers.

• The new reserve will also allow eco-tourism, research, and employment opportunities in the region.

Overview of Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (Future 2nd Tiger Reserve)

• Established in 1982, the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary covers 4,500 sq. km in the Kaimur range of the Vindhya Hills.

• The area boasts a diverse ecosystem, with species such as leopards, deer, monkeys, and dense forests of sal and teak.

• Kaimur district has Bihar’s largest forest area with 34% green cover, and is linked to wildlife corridors in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

• This ecological richness makes it an ideal site for Bihar’s 2nd Tiger Reserve.

Core Development Plans for the 2nd Tiger Reserve

• The government has designated 450 sq. km of core forest area (reduced from an earlier proposal of 900 sq. km) as prime tiger habitat.

• A buffer zone will include Shergarh Fort and 58 nearby villages, which are excluded from the core zone to allow for community integration and tourism development.

• Selected tigers from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve will be relocated to populate the 2nd Tiger Reserve in Kaimur.

• The state has also submitted a plan to declare the entire zone as an eco-sensitive area, enhancing its protection.

Historical Significance of the Area

• Tigers were last spotted in Kaimur in 1995, but recent evidence (since 2018) shows their reappearance.

• Former WII Director AJT Johnsingh led an expert team that assessed the sanctuary and strongly recommended it as a tiger reserve.

• This historical link strengthens the decision to make Kaimur the 2nd Tiger Reserve in Bihar.

Strategic Importance of Bihar’s 2nd Tiger Reserve

The development of this 2nd Tiger Reserve in Bihar serves multiple strategic goals:

• Wildlife conservation and improved biodiversity management

• Sustainable forest use and support for rural livelihoods

• Enhanced capacity for tiger monitoring and relocation

• Increased tourism revenue and eco-education

• Alignment with national conservation priorities and Vision 2047

Final Thoughts

The creation of Bihar’s 2nd Tiger Reserve in Kaimur is a visionary step towards balancing development with ecological preservation. It not only reduces the pressure on the Valmiki Tiger Reserve but also strengthens India’s national network of tiger reserves. With Kaimur Tiger Reserve joining the list, the answer to “how many tiger reserves are in Bihar?” is now two, and this new reserve has the potential to become a model for sustainable conservation.

This development also reaffirms India’s leadership in wildlife protection and contributes meaningfully to long-term goals like climate resilience, community welfare, and biodiversity conservation.