National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

• It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• It was established in 2006 under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
• Objectives:
  • Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives becomes legal.
  • Fostering accountability of Center-State in management of Tiger Reserves by providing a basis for MoU with States within the federal structure.
  • Providing for an oversight by Parliament.
  • Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.
• NTCA Composition:
  • Minister in charge of MoEFCC (as Chairperson),
  • Minister of State in MoEFCC (as Vice-Chairperson),
  • three members of Parliament, the Secretary (MoEFCC), and other members.

Key facts about Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):

• Location:
  • It is located in Rajasthan.
  • It is located at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
• Its flagship species is Panthera Tigris Tigris- the Indian or the Bengal tiger. 
• Rivers: The Rivers Chambal in the South and the Banas River in the North bound the tiger reserve. 
• Ranthambore Fort, World Heritage Site, is located within RTR.
• Landscape: It alternates between a dry deciduous jungle and an open grassy meadow dotted by numerous lakes and rivers.
• Vegetation: Dry-deciduous forest.
• Flora:
  • The most dominant plant is the 'Dhok'. This tropical tree constitutes more than three-fourths of the vegetation of this national forest.
  • Apart from the Dhok tree, the other prime trees of this park are Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), Pipal (Ficus religiosa) and Neem (Azadirachta indiaca).
• Fauna:
  • Apart from tigers, the major wild animals include Leopard, Nilgai, Wild boar, Sambar, Hyena, Sloth bear and Chital.