Satpura-Melghat Tiger Corridor: NBWL Clearance and Conservation Issues
Environment & Ecology · Friday, 7 August 2026
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) granted in-principle clearance for a railway expansion project involving over 200 hectares of forest land within the Satpura-Melghat tiger corridor, raising debate on linear infrastructure impacts.
Quick highlights
- Connects Satpura Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) with Melghat Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra).
- Forms a vital link in the Central Indian Tiger Landscape for gene flow and tiger dispersal.
- SC-NBWL granted in-principle clearance for Central Railway third line project.
- Requires mitigation measures including animal underpasses and canopy bridges.
Context
SC-NBWL considered forest land diversion for railway infrastructure within the critical Satpura-Melghat tiger corridor.
Key Facts
Satpura Tiger Reserve lies in MP while Melghat is in Maharashtra. The corridor facilitates natural tiger movement between the two reserves, preventing genetic isolation.
Significance
Highlights the environmental challenge of linear infrastructure projects passing through protected ecological corridors.
Challenges / Way Forward
Mandating eco-friendly engineering mitigation like dedicated wildlife overpasses and speed restrictions for trains during night hours.
Exam Angle
Important for GS Paper III (Environment, Tiger Conservation, NBWL Structure, Environmental Impact Assessment).
Remember this
- Satpura Tiger Reserve: Madhya Pradesh.
- Melghat Tiger Reserve: Maharashtra.
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) chaired by the Prime Minister.
- Standing Committee of NBWL chaired by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Central Indian Tiger Landscape is vital for tiger gene flow.
Background reading
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