Tadoba-Andhari, Navegaon-Nagzira, Melghat tiger reserves get CA|TS global accreditation

 

 

In a major boost to tiger conservation in Vidarbha, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) and Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) have been conferred with the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS) international accreditation certificates, recently. This year, total six tiger reserves, including TATR, NNTR, MTR in Maharashtra, Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, have been awarded the CA|TS accreditation, stated a letter issued by Dr Sugoto Roy, Chair, CA|TS International Executive Committee.

Dr Roy, in his letter to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), said, “I am pleased to inform that the CA|TS International Executive Committee (IEC) has decided to accord ‘CA|TS-approved’ status to the six Tiger reserves -- Kali, Melghat, Pilibhit, Tadoba-Andhari, Navegaon-Nagzira and Periyar, with immediate effect.”

The letter also stated, “This year, when India celebrates 50 years of Project Tiger, the CA|TS IEC acknowledges great contribution to tiger conservation this project has made in India, and globally. Congratulations to all involved.”

With this, the total number of tiger reserves to get CA|TS certification becomes 23 as on date. CA|TS is a globally accepted conservation tool that sets best practices and standards to manage tigers and encourages assessments to benchmark progress. Habitats that support tiger populations are the building blocks of wild tiger conservation and effectively managing them is essential for the long-term survival of wild tigers. CA|TS is being implemented across 125 sites in seven tiger range countries and India has the highest 94 sites. The certificates of accreditation will be handed over soon to the officials from the six tiger reserves.