Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the West Champaran district of Bihar, India. It was established in 1989 and covers an area of 899.38 square kilometers. As per the 2018 tiger census, the reserve is home to around 22 tigers. It is the only tiger reserve in Bihar and is named after the famous sage Valmiki who wrote the Hindu epic Ramayana.

About Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Location:

• It is located at the India-Nepal border in the West Champaran district of Bihar on the bank of river Gandak.
• It is situated in the Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone of the country.
• It forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and is the only tiger reserve in Bihar.

• VTR comprises the Valmiki National Park and Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Boundaries: It is surrounded by the Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak on the western side.
• Rivers: Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.
• The forest of this region has a combination of bhabar and terai tracts.
• Vegetation: The vegetation types include mainly Moist mixed deciduous, Open-land vegetation, Sub-mountainous semi-evergreen formation, Freshwater swamps, Riparian fringes, Alluvial grasslands, high hill savannah and Wetlands.

Flora

• Sal, rohini, sihor, teak, bamboo, semal, Mandar, shisham, Jamun, Gular etc.

Fauna

• Tigers, Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs are large predators. Leopard cat and fishing cat are also found in patches. Deer species are represented by spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and hog deer.
• Indian bison (Gaur), Nilgai and wild boar are other ungulates found in these forests.
• Kaleej Pheasant, hill myna, paradise fly catcher, Himalayan bulbul, lesser adjutant stork, white backed and slender billed vultures are some exclusive birds of the sanctuary.

History

The extensive forest area of Valmikinagar (formally known as Bhainsa Lotan) was previously owned by the Bettiah Raj and Ramanagar Raj until the early 1950s. It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1978. Valmiki National Park was established in the year 1990. Total area of the park is about 335.65 Km2. Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is the 18th Tiger Reserve of the country. The Valmiki Tiger Reserve comprises the National Park and the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Map

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Tourism

Valmiki Tiger Reserve offers a unique and exciting experience for tourists with its diverse range of flora and fauna. Visitors can expect to indulge in jungle safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and trekking. The reserve can be easily accessed by air, road or rail, and the best time to visit is from November to June. Nearby attractions include the Valmiki Ashram, Valmiki Nagar, Someshwar Fort, and the Valmiki National Park (this tiger reserve is also a National Park).

FAQs about Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Read also:- National Tiger Conservation Authority: Project Tiger