UPSC | Prelims GS | 2026

Buxa Tiger Reserve’s tiger reintroduction programme selected Valmiki Tiger Reserve as the source mainly because of which consideration?

  1. Similarity of terrain and habitat
  2. Presence of a mangrove ecosystem identical to Buxa
  3. Its location outside the tiger’s historical range
  4. Absence of any human settlements around the reserve

Answer

Correct Answer

Similarity of terrain and habitat

Explanation

Option A is correct because officials considered Valmiki’s terrain sufficiently similar to Buxa for translocation. Option B is wrong: mangroves characterise the Sundarbans, not Valmiki or Buxa. Option C is wrong because reintroduction concerns historical range. Option D is wrong because Buxa itself has settlements, villages, tea estates and infrastructure challenges.

Topics: buxa-valmiki reintroduction, environment, tiger conservation, wildlife translocation