The Anamalai Tiger Reserve, earlier known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
India has established many tiger reserves to conserve its tiger populations and protect biodiversity rich forests. Each reserve is associated with a particular state and landscape. The Anamalai Tiger Reserve, located in the Western Ghats, is one such protected area. It was earlier known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. This question asks you to identify the Indian state where this tiger reserve is situated.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The reserve is called Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
• It was previously named Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
• The options are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh.
• We assume the current official classification of tiger reserves.

Concept / Approach:
Anamalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, primarily in the districts of Coimbatore and Tiruppur. Though the Anamalai or Anaimalai Hills extend into both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the tiger reserve by this specific name is in Tamil Nadu. Recognising the administrative state of the protected area, rather than just the hill range, is essential for answering correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Anamalai or Anaimalai Hills lie on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the Western Ghats. Step 2: Remember that the wildlife sanctuary and national park in this region in Tamil Nadu were renamed Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Step 3: Identify Tamil Nadu among the options as the state that manages this reserve. Step 4: Recognise that Kerala has its own tiger reserves, such as Periyar and Parambikulam, but Anamalai Tiger Reserve is not listed as a Kerala reserve. Step 5: Conclude that the correct state is Tamil Nadu.

Verification / Alternative Check:
You can verify this by checking lists of tiger reserves published by Indian authorities, which group reserves by state. These lists place Anamalai Tiger Reserve under Tamil Nadu. Kerala lists Periyar, Parambikulam, and other reserves but not Anamalai. Telangana and Madhya Pradesh have tiger reserves such as Kawal, Amrabad, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh, none of which are named Anamalai. This cross reference confirms Tamil Nadu as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kerala is wrong because, while the Anaimalai Hills extend into parts of Kerala, the protected area officially named Anamalai Tiger Reserve and its earlier incarnation as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary are administered by Tamil Nadu. Telangana is wrong because its tiger reserves are located on the Deccan Plateau and are named differently. Madhya Pradesh is wrong because its famous tiger reserves include Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, and others, not Anamalai.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to see the name Anamalai or Anaimalai and think of Kerala because the Western Ghats are shared by multiple states. Another error arises when students remember only the hill range but not the administrative boundaries of the reserve. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to study tiger reserves in a table format that clearly mentions both the reserve and the state in which it is located.

Final Answer:
The Anamalai Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Tamil Nadu.