Madhya Pradesh gets its eighth tiger reserve in Ratapani

Officials said the tiger reserve designation enables the state to receive funding from the NTCA, which will "ensure better management and conservation efforts for wildlife”.

The core area spans 763.8 square kilometers, while the buffer area covers 507.6 square kilometers, making the total area of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve 1,271.4 square kilometers.(Representative/ Express file photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was on Monday declared a tiger reserve following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change through the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Officials said this will bring significant benefits. “Local communities will see economic opportunities grow with the promotion of ecotourism, which is expected to generate employment and improve livelihoods,” said an official.

Officials said the tiger reserve designation enables the state to receive funding from the NTCA, which will “ensure better management and conservation efforts for wildlife”.

“Eco-development programs are also set to provide further support to the region’s inhabitants,” said an official.

The notification delineates the core and buffer areas, making this the eighth tiger reserve in the state. The core area spans 763.8 square kilometers, while the buffer area covers 507.6 square kilometers, making the total area of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve 1,271.4 square kilometers.

Sitting in the lap of the Vindhya hills, the sanctuary encompasses a World Heritage Site – the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters – and many historical and religious destinations. It is located in the Raisen district with a substantial cover of teak forests and is less than 50 kilometres away from Bhopal.

Also read | Construction within tiger reserve corridors puts Wildlife, Tourism departments at odds in Madhya Pradesh

The notification was issued under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, acknowledging the core area as a critical tiger habitat. This will cover nine revenue villages covering 26.947 square kilometers. “These villages have been integrated into the buffer zone. This decision ensures that the rights of local villagers within the sanctuary’s boundaries will remain unaffected,” said a wildlife officer.

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This development comes against the backdrop of Madhav National Park also receiving approval to be declared a tiger reserve. “The Government of India’s communication on December 1 paves the way for the issuance of a notification formalising the move within 15 days,” an officer said.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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