About STR

Historical recordsfrom our country show that wildlife protection had been given importance since long. Though many Royal families and Princely states practiced hunting but steps to ensure the survival of wildlife were also taken. Sanjay Tiger Reserve currently exists in an area where not long ago, before the merger of the province state, the local rulers of Rewa state generally maintained their own game reserve (Shikargahs) where regulated shooting was practiced only for the sake of game and sport. After the formation of the state of Vindhya Pradesh in 1948, initiatives for wildlife conservation were taken up. Hunting of wild animals by public was forbidden in the state.

Legally, forest protection in Rewa State started since 1927 with the enactment of "Kanoon Jungle Riyasat, Rewa (Baghelkhand), 1927". For the first time, the forests were accorded a legal status and were classified into Reserved Forests and Aam Jungle. Mr Harlow, known as the ‘father of modern working plans’ came to the Rewa state on deputation in Nov 1929 from Central Provinces and Berar at the invitation of the Rewa Darbar. Subsequently The Rewa Forest Act 1935 distinguished two types of forests – Reserved and Protected.

The abundance of the tigers in the area could be assessed from the fact that 13 Tigers were shot (06 males, 05 females 02 cubs) during the period of 10 days from 27 th May to 6th June, 1951. The Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act 1912, the Madhya Pradesh National Parks Act 1955 and the M.P. Game Act 1935 were extended to the whole of Vindhya Pradesh after its merger in new Madhya Pradesh vide Section (3)(i) of the extension of law At 1958 w.e.f. 01.01.1959 vide Govt. of M.P until the Forest Conservation Act 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Biodiversity Act and other regulations came into being in Independent India.

Previously, the Tiger Reserve was under the control of West Sidhi Forest Division (Territorial). The West Sidhi Division that originally formed part of ol d Sidhi Forest Division and was created w.e.f. 02.12.62 vide Government of M.P. notification No.11965/XI/162 Dt. 16.12.1962 and vide Chief Conservator of Forest M.P. Notification No. DC/8006 Dated 28.12.1962 and No. DC/4958 dated 04.10.1968.

In the year 2006, vide Govt of MP order no. F 15-5/2003/10-2 dt 08.0.2006, a total area of 831.250 sq km including 466.657 sq km of the Sanjay National Park and 364.593 sq km of the Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary was notified as the core of the Sanjay Tiger Reserve. In 2007, the sanction for handing over of 32 compartments to the Sidhi Project Division of M.P.State Forest Development Corporation was granted by the State Govt. On 15.05.2008 Singrauli District was separated from Sidhi District, though there was no change in the boundaries of the then West Sidhi Division. By Govt. of M.P., Forest Department Notification No./F/25-13-2009-ten-3 dated-27.10.2009, the then West Sidhi Forest Division was reorganised as Sidhi Division.

In 2011, the Buffer Zone of SANJAY TIGER RESERVE was notified. The Buffer Zone notified in 2011 of the SANJAY TIGER RESERVE includes 441.782 sq km. forest area of the Sidhi Forest Division. Most parts of one R.A. Circle (Majhauli) out of the two in Majhauli Range, most parts of three R.A. Circles (Madwas, Bastua and Pondi) out of four in Madwas Range and all three complete R.A. Circles (Tamsar, Kusumi and Semra) in Mohan Range have been included the Buffer Zone, situated in the southern part of the Plan area. These areas have relatively better wildlife presence in the Plan area.

Outside the Buffer Zone, Chamradol R.A. Circle in Majhauli Range, Tikari R.A. Circle in Madwas Range, Chaufal R.A. Circle in Churhat Range and Gandhigram R.A. Circle in Sidhi Range have better wildlife presence as compared to the rest of the areas. Wildlife presence is very less in the other areas.