Two neighbouring sanctuaries – Achanakmar and Udanti in Chhattisgarh – can boost Sunabeda in the natural animal movement because of the contiguity of forests.Wildlife officials said a Maoist-free Sunabeda can now hugely benefit from its advantageous geographical location to boost its herbivore and carnivore population. These connected habitats create a wider landscape for dispersal of herbivores and carnivores, reducing isolation and supporting genetic exchange, the officials added. “The contiguity of forests could play a decisive role in rebuilding both herbivore and carnivore populations in Sunabeda, long seen as a potential but underperforming landscape. The sanctuary has repeatedly drawn attention for tiger movement from neighbouring Udanti. Its proximity to Chhattisgarh gives it a natural advantage in becoming part of a larger and connected wildlife landscape where animals can disperse, establish territories and maintain genetic diversity,” wildlife conservationist Rajesh Kumar said.Achanakmar’s importance is particularly striking. Linked to Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, it forms part of a larger source landscape with a relatively high tiger population. For Sunabeda, this is an ecological opportunity. If protection improves and prey population rises, the sanctuary could receive and retain dispersing carnivores from neighbouring reserves.
