Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Map, Flora, Fauna, Significance

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the West Champaran district of Bihar. Know all about Valmiki Tiger Reserve Map, Flora, Fauna & its Significance in this article for the UPSC exam.

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Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the West Champaran district of Bihar, India. It was established in 1989 and covers an area of 899.38 square kilometers. As per the 2018 tiger census, the reserve is home to around 22 tigers. It is the only tiger reserve in Bihar and is named after the famous sage Valmiki who wrote the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Read about: Tiger Reserves in India

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Landscape

The reserve covers an area of 899.38 square kilometres and is a protected area for the Bengal tiger. The reserve has three ranges – Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary, Someshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Gandak Wildlife Sanctuary. The core area of the reserve is the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary, which is further divided into eight ranges for administrative purposes. The reserve also has a buffer zone of 238.54 square kilometres. The reserve is known for its diverse topography, which includes dense forests, riverine, and grasslands. The forest type is tropical moist deciduous, and Sal trees dominate the riverine forests. The reserve is surrounded by the Indo-Nepal border on the north and the River Gandak on the west.

Read about: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Map

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Flora

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is known for its rich and diverse flora, which includes both tropical and subtropical forests. Here is a detailed description

Flora Category	Species Found	Unique Features
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests	Sal, Asan, Karma, Semal, etc.	Rich in medicinal plants and herbs
Dry Deciduous Forests	Teak, Saja, etc.	Supports large mammal population
Moist Bamboo Brakes	Bamboo	Provides important food and shelter for herbivores
Grasslands	Sarkanda, Elephant grass, etc.	Important habitat for endangered bird species
Riverine Forests	Khair, Sissoo, Eucalyptus, etc.	Rich in aquatic plants and supports the fish population

Read about: Sariska Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Fauna

Below is a table outlining the various categories of fauna found in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, along with the unique species and features of each. This information provides valuable insights into the biodiversity of this reserve.

Fauna Category	Species Found	Unique Features
Mammals	Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Bison, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar	The reserve is home to a high population of Bengal Tigers and Indian Leopards.
Birds	Indian Peafowl, Red Junglefowl, Painted Stork, Indian Cormorant, Grey Heron, Black Ibis, Oriental Honey Buzzard	The reserve is a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 250 bird species found here.
Reptiles	Indian Python, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python, Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon	The reserve has a significant population of snakes, including the venomous King Cobra and Common Krait.
Amphibians	Indian Bullfrog, Common Indian Toad, Bicolored Frog, Green Pond Frog	The reserve is home to a diverse range of amphibians, with over 20 species found here.
Fish	Golden Mahseer, Channa Striata, Catfish, Rohu	The reserve has several rivers and streams that support a variety of fish species.

Read about: Sariska Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Tourism

Valmiki Tiger Reserve offers a unique and exciting experience for tourists with its diverse range of flora and fauna. Visitors can expect to indulge in jungle safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and trekking. The reserve can be easily accessed by air, road or rail, and the best time to visit is from November to June. Nearby attractions include the Valmiki Ashram, Valmiki Nagar, Someshwar Fort, and the Valmiki National Park (this tiger reserve is also a National Park).

Read about: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve UPSC

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is an important topic for the UPSC Syllabus as it is one of the famous tiger reserves in India. UPSC exams often have questions related to the geography, biodiversity, and conservation efforts in India, and Valmiki Tiger Reserve is an important example of environmental conservation efforts being taken by the government. In addition, questions related to tourism, the socioeconomic impact of conservation efforts, and the role of local communities in conservation efforts can also be expected from this topic. Explore StudyIQ UPSC for effective exam preparation and UPSC Mock Test for Prelims 2023 to evaluate your preparation level.

Read about: Periyar Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve FAQs