Home / Environment / Maharashtra Expands Wildlife Sanctuaries, Boosts Conservation Efforts
Maharashtra Expands Wildlife Sanctuaries, Boosts Conservation Efforts
26 Oct
Summary
- Two forest areas declared wildlife sanctuaries, 14 areas conservation reserves.
- Kolamarka and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuaries expanded for wildlife protection.
- Infrastructure projects in protected areas also approved for development.
On October 26, 2026, the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife approved the creation of new protected areas, including declaring two forest regions as wildlife sanctuaries and establishing 14 conservation reserves across seven districts. This expansion aims to bolster wildlife protection and habitat management within the state. The Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Gadchiroli, noted for its wild buffalo population, has been upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary. Additionally, the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary has been expanded to better safeguard its ecosystem.
The newly designated conservation reserves span districts like Pune, Raigad, Nashik, Nandurbar, Thane, Palghar, and Chandrapur. Alongside these designations, the board approved the inclusion of private and revenue lands into the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary to reduce human habitation. Proposals were also accepted to define critical wildlife habitats within the Koka Wildlife Sanctuary and Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary.
The meeting also addressed the integration of routine maintenance like dam repairs and desilting into management plans, urging for their revision within three months. Furthermore, the board discussed and approved infrastructure projects, including irrigation, healthcare, and communication lines within protected areas and eco-sensitive zones. Discussions also touched upon declaring tiger reserve areas as silence zones and addressing human-wildlife conflict.
