In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation in Assam, the Nameri Tiger Reserve has been accorded CATS-approved status under the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS) framework after it met the prescribed standards for tiger conservation and protected area management.
“The CATS-approved status was accorded last month, following completion of the prescribed assessment process and approval by the CATS International Executive Committee,” a statement issued by the field director of Nameri Tiger Reserve on Thursday, said.
Located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, Nameri Tiger Reserve forms an important tiger conservation landscape, maintaining ecological connectivity with adjoining forest areas, the hill forests of Arunachal Pradesh and the broader Brahmaputra Valley landscape.
With Nameri Tiger Reserve attaining CATS-approved status, all four Tiger Reserves of Assam — Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Nameri — are now CATS approved.
Notably, CATS provides a globally recognised framework for assessing the effectiveness of tiger conservation and management.
The assessment covers key aspects including protection, habitat management, monitoring, governance, community engagement and overall management effectiveness.
“The CATS approval of Nameri reflects sustained efforts towards strengthening protection, scientific monitoring, habitat management and conservation planning across the reserve,” the field director said.
The achievement also recognises the contribution of officers, frontline staff and other stakeholders associated with the management and conservation of the tiger reserve.
