Maharashtra wildlife board clears sanctuary status for two forest tracts

The Maharashtra State Wildlife Board has approved the conversion of two reserved forest areas into wildlife sanctuaries and granted status to 14 new conservation reserves, the Hindu reported. The move also includes elevating the Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Gadchiroli district, noted for its wild buffalo population, to sanctuary level.

Which forest areas are now slated to become wildlife sanctuaries?

The board’s decision covers the Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Gadchiroli and another unnamed reserved forest in the state, both of which will be officially designated as wildlife sanctuaries. According to The Hindu, the Kolamarka area is especially important because it supports a thriving herd of wild water buffalo, a species listed as vulnerable under national guidelines.

What does the approval of 14 conservation reserves mean?

The board cleared 14 additional parcels of forest land to be managed as conservation reserves, a category that allows limited human activity while preserving ecological value. The Hindu explained that conservation reserves are typically smaller than sanctuaries and are intended to protect habitats that serve as corridors or buffer zones for larger protected areas.

Why is this development significant for Maharashtra’s biodiversity?

Designating these areas as sanctuaries and conservation reserves strengthens legal safeguards against encroachment, mining, and unsustainable logging, thereby helping to maintain habitats for species such as leopards, sloth bears, and the wild buffaloes of Kolamarka. The enhanced protection aligns with Maharashtra’s broader strategy to expand its network of protected areas, a goal that has been pursued since the early 2000s to counter rising pressure from development and climate change.

Maharashtra’s forest policy has historically relied on a tiered system of protection, ranging from national parks to wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves. Sanctuaries receive the highest level of protection, restricting most commercial activities and focusing on core habitat preservation. Conservation reserves, while allowing certain traditional uses, still impose strict regulations to prevent habitat fragmentation. By upgrading forest tracts and adding new reserves, the state aims to create a more connected landscape that supports species migration and genetic exchange, essential for long‑term ecological resilience.