Question 1

State governments have the absolute power to unilaterally alter or expand the boundaries of Tiger Reserves via gazette notification.

Accepted Answer

Under Section 38W of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, no alteration in the boundaries of a Tiger Reserve can be made without the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and prior approval of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).

Question 2

Buffer zones of Tiger Reserves are entirely devoid of human presence, just like the core zones.

Accepted Answer

Buffer zones (or peripheral areas) are legally designated to ensure the integrity of the Critical Tiger Habitat while promoting co-existence; they frequently contain revenue villages, agricultural lands, and private 'patta' lands where traditional rights are protected.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the legal framework governing Tiger Reserves in India:
1. The State Government notifies an area as a Tiger Reserve on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
2. Boundaries of a Tiger Reserve can be altered by the State Government without the approval of the National Board for Wildlife if the alteration expands the reserve's area.
3. While the core area is kept as an inviolate area, the buffer area aims at promoting co-existence between wildlife and human activity.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

(b) Only two — Statement 1 is correct: Under Section 38V of the WPA 1972, State Governments notify Tiger Reserves on NTCA recommendations. Statement 2 is incorrect: Section 38W mandates that NO alteration in the boundaries of a tiger reserve (whether expansion or reduction) shall be made except on the recommendation of the NTCA and the approval of the NBWL. Statement 3 is correct: This is the statutory definition of core and buffer zones.

Question 4

Match the Tiger Reserves (List I) with their associated Geographical Features or States (List II):

List I:
A. Bhadra Tiger Reserve
B. Ratapani Tiger Reserve
C. Pakke Tiger Reserve
D. Nameri Tiger Reserve

List II:
1. Vindhya Range
2. Bababudangiri Hills
3. Assam
4. Arunachal Pradesh

Select the correct code:

Accepted Answer

(a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 — Bhadra Tiger Reserve is nestled in the Bababudangiri, Hebbegiri, and Mullayanagiri hills of the Western Ghats (A-2). Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh (B-1). Pakke Tiger Reserve is situated in the Kameng region of Arunachal Pradesh (C-4). Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in Assam, sharing its northern boundary with Pakke (D-3).

Question 5

Assertion (A): The Karnataka government's March 2025 addition of the Chornadehalli and Kaithotlu forests to the Bhadra Tiger Reserve buffer zone required prior approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
Reason (R): Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, State Governments cannot alter the boundaries of any Tiger Reserve without the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and approval of the NBWL.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are factually correct. The Assertion is true, as the NBWL strictly stipulated this addition during its 80th meeting in October 2024 to protect the Umblebyle corridor. The Reason is also true, as Section 38W of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 explicitly mandates that any boundary alterations of Tiger Reserves need NTCA recommendation and NBWL approval. The Reason provides the exact statutory necessity that validates the Assertion.

Karnataka Notifies Expansion of Bhadra Tiger Reserve Buffer Zone

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