Valmiki Tiger Reserve is the only tiger reserve in Bihar.
1. Valmiki Tiger Reserve
- Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the West Champaran district of Bihar in northern India.
- The reserve is named after the great sage Valmiki, who is believed to have written the epic Hindu Ramayana.
- In 1978, the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
- In 1990, Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary declared a national park.
- In 1989-90, the Valmiki National Park was upgraded to Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
- Area: The eserve covers an area of approximately 899 square kilometers (347 square miles).
- Core/critical tiger habitat : 598.45 sq km
- Buffer/peripheral area : 300.93 sq km
- Total : 899.38 sq km
- Hills: The tiger reserve encompasses foothill ranges of Shivalik Himalayan.
- River: Following river passes through Valmiki Tiger Reserve:
- Gandak
- Masan
- Pandai
- Manor
- Harha
- Sonha
- Pachnad
- Bhapsa
- Tribe: The major tribal communities found in and around the reserve are:
- Tharu Tribe
- Dhangar Tribe
- Flora: Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (Sal, rohini, sihor etc.), Sub-Mountainous Semi-Evergreen Forest (Jamun, Ficus species, and Agai), Freshwater Swamps and Riparian Fringes, Alluvial Grasslands, High Hill Savannah etc.
- Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Indian Wild Dogs, Leopard Cat, Fishing Cat, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Indian Bison (Gaur), Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Serow, Kaleej Pheasant, Hill Myna, Monitor Lizard, Crocodile, Hill Turtle etc.
- Valmiki Tiger Reserve is famous for Indian Bison (Gaur) population.
- The Bihar State Government has established an Elephant Rescue Centre within the premises of Valmiki Tiger Reserve.