Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The study christened as, Status of Ungulates in Tiger Habitats of India, compiled by Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, has found that Pench Tiger Reserve in Seoni district has highest density of ungulates across India.
The density of ungulates is 94.85 per square kilometre. This means that Pench reserve has highest number of prey species for carnivore animals in comparison to any other tiger reserve of the country. The tigers, leopards have ample prey base in it.
The officials of Pench reserve have studied the report according to different species of prey base.
As far sambar density is considered, then Rajaji Tiger Reserve is at first place (12.06 per square kilometres) while Pench Tiger Reserve is on second position (9.81 per square kilometres) and Kanha Tiger Reserve comes on third position (8.21 per square km).
In terms of wild boar, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is on first position (13.46 per sq km), Pench Tiger Reserve is on second position (12.47 per sq km), Kanha Tiger Reserve is on fourth position (11.19 per sq km). Under Cheetal species, Pench Tiger Reserve is on third position (53.97 per sq km) while Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is on fourth position (46.26 per square km).
As far as Nilgai species is concerned, then Kanha Tiger Reserve is on second position (6.42 per sq km) and Pench Tiger Reserve is on fourth position (3.4 per sq km). The notable factor is that Pench Tiger Reserve has core area of mere 411.33 square kilometres and it is the least among all the tiger reserves of the country.
The report adds that Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has one of the highest prey abundance areas in central India landscape. Chital is the most abundant prey species while barking deer is very sparsely distributed. Kanha Tiger reserve has barking deer in abundance.
In Sarhi, Kanha, Sijhora, Garhhi, wild pigs are present. Chital is major prey base in Panna Tiger Reserve. Sambar is also in abundance in core ranges of the reserve.
