Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat" ?
- (a) Corbett
- (b) Ranthambore
- (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Sunderbans
Why the answer is (c)
• Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, straddling Andhra Pradesh and Telangana across the Nallamala hills, is India's largest tiger reserve with a Critical Tiger Habitat (core) of about 2,527 sq km — option (c).
• Corbett's core is about 822 sq km, Ranthambore's about 1,113 sq km and Sunderbans' about 1,700 sq km.
• Critical Tiger Habitat is the inviolate core notified under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, kept free of human use.
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Corbett
- Corbett's core is about 822 sq km, far smaller.
- (b) Ranthambore
- Ranthambore's core is about 1,113 sq km.
- (d) Sunderbans
- Sunderbans' core is about 1,700 sq km, less than NSTR.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.