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About Melghat National
Park
Melgh at
Tiger Reserve is located on southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill
Range in Central India, called Gavilgarh hill in the Indian state of
Maharashtra. The high ridge running east-west which has its highest
point at Vairat (1178 m. above msl.), forms the southwestern boundary
of the Reserve. It is a prime habitat of the tiger. The forest is
tropical dry deciduous in nature, dominated by teak Tectona grandis.
The Reserve is a catchment area for five major rivers viz. Khandu,
Khapra, Sipna, Gadga and Dolar, all of which are tributaries of the
river Tapti. The northeastern boundary of the Reserve is marked by the
Tapti river. Melghat is the prime biodiversity repository of the
state.
Nature has
offered protection to Melghat in the form of a rugged topography with
only a few entry points. The Makhala, Chikhaldara, Chiladari, Patulda
and Gugamal are the large plateaux amidst rugged terrain. Contiguity
of forests in Satpura Hill Range guarantees the long-term conservation
potential of the area.
Conservation History
Melghat area was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1974. Presently, the
total area of the Reserve is around 1677 sq. km. The core area of the
Reserve, the Gugarnal National Park with an area of 361.28 sq. km.,
and buffer area of the Reserve, the Melghat Tiger Sanctuary with an
area of 788.28 sq. km. (of which 21.39 sq. km. is non-forest), were
together re-notified by the state government in 1994 as Melghat
Sanctuary. The remaining area is managed as a 'multiple use area'.
Previously, Melghat Tiger Sanctuary was created in 1985 with an area
of 1597.23 sq. km. Gugarnal National Park was carved out of this
Sanctuary in 1987.
Archaeological Richness
The Gavilgarh fort on the Chikhaldara plateau and Narnala fort
abetting southeastern part of Melghat Ti ger
Reserve add to the aesthetic value of the area. Visitors to these
archaeological monuments enjoy the serene forests in the backdrop.
Forest Type
Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests - 5A
Main Flora
More than 700 naturalised plant species have been enlisted in the
Flora of Melghat. These species belong to about 400 genera
representing as many as 97 families. There are 90 trees species, 66
shrubs species, 316 herbs species, 56 climbers, 23 sedges and 99 grass
species. Teak Tectona grandis is the predominant tree species.
The most commonly occurring species are Lagerstroemia parviflora,
Lannea coromandelica, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia tomentosa,
Anogeissus latifolia and Oujenia oojeinesis. Bamboo
Dendrocalamus strictus is widespread.
Main Fauna
Mammals:
Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, sambar, gaur, barking
deer, nilgai, chital, chausingha, ratel, flying squirrel, wild boar,
langur, Rhesus monkey, porcupine, pangolin, mouse deer, python, otter,
caracal, blacknaped hare |
