Overview

• The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved the boundary rationalisation in a June 26 meeting chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• The change expands core tiger habitat by 43.38 sq km to 924.49 sq km while trimming the buffer zone by 42.52 sq km to 203.20 sq km.
• The reserve’s total notified area grows to 1,127.68 sq km with the formal inclusion of the 85.44-hectare Meenala block.
• Approval comes with strict conditions prohibiting harmful development and requiring enhanced patrolling, community engagement and habitat monitoring.
• The proposal now awaits final Supreme Court review and could enable the restart of more than 50 marble and dolomite mines under conservation safeguards.