After getting declared Chitrakoots Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve last year, the UP cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal for development of tourist facilities around it.
A proposal in this regard was tabled by the state tourism department. The department has identified about 49 hectares of land around the Markundi inspection bungalow for development of tourist facilities in the region. The land was barren and belonged to the gram samaj. Principal secretary, tourism,MukeshMeshram said that Ranipur is UPs fourth and Bundelkhands first tiger reserve. It falls on the way to Madhya Pradeshs Panna reserve. The reserve spans across 529.89 square km which includes a buffer zone of 299.58 square km and a core of 230 square km.
Ranipur tiger reserve is covered by northern tropical dry deciduous forests and is Home to mammals like megafauna tiger, leopard, bear, spotted deer, sambhar and chinkara. As per the , the establishment of this tiger reserve will lead to opening up of eco-tourism in the area and the creation of immense EMPLOYMENT opportunities. As of now, the Ranipur wildlife sanctuary in Chitrakoot district has no tigers of its own.