Project Info
Project Description
The Kaimur Recovery Project is an initiative dedicated to conserving the largest protected area in the state of Bihar. Our project focuses on restoring degraded habitats, increasing prey species abundance, reversing tiger occurrence, and strengthening stakeholder support, participation, and capacity building.
The Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), located in southwestern Bihar, spans over 1500 km2 and holds immense historical, cultural, socio-economic, and biodiversity significance. This sanctuary is a plateau situated between the Son River, bordering Jharkhand to the south, and the Karmanasa River, bordering Uttar Pradesh to the west. The Kaimur Hills, known for their invincibility, are home to two forts and the ancient Mundeshwari Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. Prehistoric rock paintings, stone inscriptions, and monuments have also been discovered here, enriching the area’s cultural heritage. The Oraon tribe is believed to have originated from this plateau, further adding to its historical significance.
In addition to its cultural value, the Kaimur Hills are renowned for their limestone, sandstone, and shales, which are supplied to nearby factories, including the Dalmia Cement Plant situated at the foothills.
The forested habitat on the Kaimur Hills plateau is connected to the Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamau tiger meta-population landscape through fragmented forest patches along the Son basin. While tiger sightings were reported in the sanctuary until the end of the 20th century, their presence was rediscovered in 2017 and 2020.
The terrain of the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by a large plateau intersected by seasonal streams that form narrow, elongated gorges, cliffs, and waterfalls. Perennial and seasonal streams originate from the Kaimur Hills, with large rocks dotting the landscape.
Tutla Bhawani Waterfall in Kaimur WLS | Photo by Subrat Kumar Behera/WTI
The diverse geology of the plateau gives rise to varied habitat types, supporting a rich biodiversity. The sanctuary is home to 48 species of mammals, 127 bird species, and 22 reptile species. Apart from tigers, the sanctuary is home to chinkara, blackbuck, four-horned antelopes, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, honey badgers, and Indian pangolins. Although some of these species occurrences were based on interviews with local people, quantitative data is lacking to frame a long-term conservation plan for this vital protected area.
Through our collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Bihar, Wildlife Trust of India aims to assess the status of wild animals, evaluate habitat conditions, understand the socio-political context, and develop a comprehensive plan to restore the degraded tiger habitat.
Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) in Kaimur WLS
Filling the knowledge gap is a crucial aspect of our conservation plan. To restore the degraded habitat in the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, we are implementing various strategies. These include targeted actions such as weed removal and grassland development to enhance the overall habitat quality. Additionally, we aim to combat poaching by implementing effective anti-poaching measures and increasing the conviction rate for wildlife crimes. To ensure the success of our efforts, we are focused on strengthening the resources available for habitat management and improving the capacity of dedicated forest staff.
Furthermore, community participation is integral to our approach, as we believe that involving local communities in conservation initiatives will lead to long-term sustainability and shared responsibility for protecting this precious ecosystem.
