BIODIVERSITY IN MELGHAT

Melghat which is the extended part of Satpuda ranges, also known as Gavilgad hills, consisting of unique ecosystem with rich biodiversity of flora & fauna and varied habitats attached by deep vallyes & high hills with number of rivers and nallas having water over the year in naturally formed ponds, (dohs) is a ideal natural home of various wild animals including a flagship species like Tiger. As all know that the tiger has been declared as endangered species due to its fast decreasing strength in the world including India due to poaching and international illegal trade of its part. The tiger is very closely related with the ecosystem of the forest. If the existence of tiger is there in the forest, that forest will sustain for long time. Keeping in view the above biodiversity and topography of Melghat, Govt. of India declared it as a tiger reserve in 1973. The MTR has its core (CTH) about 1500.49 sq.km. and buffer about 1268.04 sq.km. The buffer includes 118 and the core 29 villages in side the MTR. About 18000 population of human being and 30,000 populations of livestock exert heavy pressure on the forest and wildlife of the core area, resulting in the shrinkange of the tiger and other wildlife habitat. Melghat tiger reserve is located in Chikhaldara and Dharni tehsils of Amaravati district in Satpura hill range also called Gavilgarh hills. One of the main tourist attraction in Chikaldara, Melghat is a perfect place for a nature lover. Melghat was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1967 and was declared as a Tiger reserve in 1974 with objectives of maintaining tiger population and preserve the national heritage for posterity. And in 1994, the core area of the reserve, the Gugarnal National Park, lies within the reserve (1987) and buffer area of the reserve, the Melghat Tiger Sanctuary, were added and the entire area notified as the Melghat Sanctuary. Covering an area of 1676.93-sq-km area, Melghat is an important biodiversity repository of Maharashtra. The River Tapti forms natural north-eastern boundary of the Reserve. The reserve is a catchment area formed by the tributaries of the River Tapti -Khandu,

Khapra, Sipna, Gadga and Dolar. 'Virat' about 1,178 m above the main sea level is the highest hill in Melghat.

MELGHAT FLOURA The area has sudden tropical dry, deciduous forest. Teak (Tectonal grandic) is the dominant species with common associate Lendia(Lagestroemia parviflora), Moyan (Lanmea coromondolica), Ain (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhawda(Anogeissus latifolia), Haldu(Adina Cordifolia) Kalanb(Mitrigyna parviflora), and Dhaman(Grewia tiliafolia). Other associates are Salai (Boswellia Serrota), Dudhi (Wrightia tinctoria), Amaltus (Cassia fistula), Humba (Milliusa veletina), Bhosa(Bauhinia racemosa), Kusum (Sleichera deosa), Rivit (Casearea eliptica )etc. there are over 700 naturalise species belonging to 400 genera and 97 families.There are 90 tree species, 66 shrub species, 320 herb species, 56 climber species, 23 sedge speciesand 99 grass species. Bamboo forms midle story. Medicinal plant species of ethno botanical importance.Number more than 250 species. The vegetation is predominantly of Southern tropical dry deciduous forests. The terrain is mostly covered with Teak and Bamboo trees. The rugged topography is home to more than 750 plant species of 97 families, including 90 trees species, 66 shrubs species, 316 herbs species, 56 climbers, 23 sedges and 99 grass species. Main trees species are Bamboo,Aola, Lendia, Bel, Bija, Salaia, Auriculata, Palas, Hiwar Tendu, Khair, Kusum, Zizphus Helicteres, Dhawda, Casia, Sal, Babul, Terminenalia species, and more. The main shrubs found in this area are Isora, Solanium Giganteum, Lantna, and more. Eroni, Gunj and Khobarvel are main climbers. The Reserve is also has plenty of Medicinal plants.

MELGHAT FAUNA Melghat is an abort of wild life which include 41 species of Mammals, 250 species of Birds, 24 species of Fish, 160 species of Reptiles and snakes and species of Lizard, amphibians etc. Important Mamals are Tiger (Panthera tigris), Leopard (Panthera Pardus), Wild dog(Cuon alpinus), Jackal (Canis Aureus), Hyenae (Hyenal hynae), Sloth Bear ( Melursus ursiness), Gaur (Bos Gaurus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjack), Chousinga ( Tetracerus Quadricornis), Spotted Deer(Cervus Axis), Nillgai(Bos Elaphus Tragocamelus), Wild Boar(Sus Scrofa), Common

langur(Presbytis entellus), Rhesus Monkey(Macaca Mulata) and Black Naped Hare. The rare ones are Ratel(Mellivora Capensis), Other(Lutra Perspics Latta), Flying Squirrel(Petausista Petausista), Pangolin( Manis Crassicaudata), Caracal(Felis

Caracal), Rustry Spotted Cat and Mouse Deer. Along with 73 tigers, the reserve houses 41 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, 24 species of fish and 160 species of reptiles. The common animals in this reserve include Tiger, Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Jackal, Sambar, Gaur, Barking deer, Nilgai, Chital, Chausingha, Flying squirrel, Wild boar, Langur, Rhesus monkey, Porcupine, Pangolin, Mouse deer, Python, Otter, Caracal, Blacknaped hare. The reserve boasts about 2,000 gaur the second largest in India Avi Fauna consists of Grey jungle fowl, Indian Peafowl, Grey Francolin, Painted Francolin, Red Spurfowl, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, White-bellied Drongo, Indian Grey Hornbill, White-naped Woodpecker, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Indian Pitta, Emerald Dove and Oriental Turtle Dove. Also one can spot Sirkeer Malkoha, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Black-hooded Oriole, Large Cuckoo shrike, Scarlet Minivet, Verditer Flycatcher, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Crested Bunting are frequently seen. And raptors like serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Eurasian Hobby, Bonelli`s Eagle, Mottled Wood Owl, Jungle Owlet.