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Introduction

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) is the only tiger reserve in the state of Bihar. It is contiguous with Chitwan National Park of Nepal and also connected with Suhagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. The reserve is a vital area within the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL). Valmiki Tiger Reserve occupies 901.13 km² of the northernmost part of West Champaran District in Bettiah Taluka. The area lies between latitudes 27° 10′ N and 27° 30′ N and between longitudes 83° 50′ E and 84° 10′ E. Administratively, this tiger reserve is divided into two forest divisions (Division-1 and Division-2) and managed under eight ranges, namely Manguraha, Gobardhana, Raghia, Chiutaha, Harnatand, Ganuali, Valmiki Nagar and Madanpur, which have 65 forest sub-beats, known as management units. According to Champion and Seth (1968), the vegetation of VTR has been classified into seven forest types. These vegetation types are (i) Bhabar Dun Sal Forest (3C/c2/b (i)), (ii) Dry Siwalik Sal Forest (5B/c1/a), (iii) West Gangetic Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (3C/c3/a), (iv) Khair–Sissoo Forest (1S/2), (v) Cane Brakes (1b/e1), (vi) Eastern Wet Alluvial Grassland (4d/2s2) and (vii) Barringtonia Swamp Forest (4 d/ss2). VTR was notified (vide notification no. Vanyaprani 11/94-303-E/Va.Pa.Patna dated 11 March 1994) with an extent of 840.26 km², and the core/critical and buffer zones were notified (vide resolution no.22/08-608(E) pa.va. dated 26 November 2013) under Section 38 V of the Wild Life Protection (Amendment) Act, 2006.

Management Strengths:

VTR has an excellent collaboration with WWF-India, who are supporting the research and management of VTR.
VTR receives adequate funds from the NTCA and state government.
VTR has a well delineated critical tiger habitat and inviolate areas.
VTR has wildlife-trained Field Directors (both FD and DFD).
The science and management interface is excellent in VTR.
VTR has complied with the four statutory requirements (SR) along with the Tripartite MoU and three SOPs.
VTR has been able to manage the human–wildlife conflict to a significant extent with the active role of TR officials and staff members as well as the participation of NGOs such as WWF and WTI.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) is well integrated into a wider ecological landscape, and periodic trans-boundary meetings with Nepal are held. It also has an effective tiger, co-predator and prey monitoring programme covering the TR systematically and periodically.
The 9 km eco-sensitive zone notified around the reserve is the biggest strength of the VTR.

Management Weaknesses:

Though VTR receives adequate funds from NTCA, the funds are not received timely, which hampers the management.
There is no human habitation in the core, but there is still some biotic pressure due to enclaved villages (26 revenue villages with a population of over 60,000 humans and several cattle) situated in the centre and from several villages along the southern boundary (over 150 villages within 2 km). VTR has to engage with the local communities regularly and try to minimise their impacts.
The facilities in the APC has to be improved with separate facilities for both male and female workers.
Only about 5% of the area is covered by grasslands and even these are being invaded by woody growth and invasive weeds like Eupatorium, Lantana, Parthenium and Cassia tora.
Lack of non-PA forests and wastelands in the buffer zone and immediate interface of sanctuary areas with revenue villages with intense cultivation in the southern side.

Immediate Actionable Points:

Since it is a transboundary tiger reserve, efforts should be made to institutionalize joint sharing of data and monitoring efforts with Chitwan NP, Nepal.
National Highway No. 28B, which passes through the western boundary of the reserve, has to have mitigation measures as stipulated in WII’s eco-friendly Guidelines for Linear Infrastructure.
The railway line passing through Madanpur Block has to have mitigation measures as stipulated in WII’s eco-friendly Guidelines for Linear Infrastructure.
Soil and moisture conservation works, when taken up, have to have a scientific approach. Applications like CLART may be tested and used. Composite Landscape Assessment and Restoration Tools (CLART), is a Geographic Information System (GIS) based Android tool—developed to enhance the planning of region-specific soil and water conservation measures. This will help effective ground-level implementation.
The rhinos generally come through the Gandak River during the flood season. They take shelter in Madanpur Block and have in the past taken to permanent residence. In addition to this, occasional migration to VTR occurs in the Sonha-Pachnad valley, bordering CNP, in Triveni Block of VTR, at the western end. There have been episodes of rhinos coming across the Thori–Jasauli border zone in the eastern end, and these rhinos remain confined to the swampy and grassy pockets in Someswar Block towards east beyond Manguraha and eventually return to CNP. Efforts to keep the migrating rhinos within VTR have to be made.
Specific actions pertaining to climate change have to be carried out either in terms of research or through adaptive mechanisms.

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Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Management Strengths:

Management Weaknesses:

Immediate Actionable Points:

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