An expert committee has been formed to establish Kumbhalgarh as the sixth tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The committee's task is to study the area and submit a report by October 31, 2024.

The proposed Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve aims to connect forests in Udaipur, Rajsamand, Pali, and Beawar. There is also a possibility of including some forest areas from Sirohi. 

This new reserve could lead to an increase in the tiger population. It might also expand their territory and allow for movement between different areas in Rajasthan. The plan is also linked to the Matsya region, which includes Dholpur and Karauli.

If the tiger population in Kumbhalgarh grows, their territory might expand into Madhya Pradesh. Ranthambore and Karauli-Dholpur forests are connected to Kuno National Park, while the forests in Pratapgarh district are linked to those in Neemuch, Chittorgarh, and Kota, which in turn connect to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Tiger reserves like Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, and Karauli-Dholpur each have a tiger population exceeding 100.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gave in-principle approval for the Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve on August 22 last year. The official notification for the reserve will be issued based on the expert committee's report.

"Kumbhalgarh forest is ideal for tigers, having been their habitat until the 1970s. Revitalizing this region could greatly boost tourism, and with dedicated efforts, creating a tiger corridor might also become feasible." - Rahul Bhatnagar, Member, NTCA

Source: Rajasthan Patrika