Kolamarka and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuaries

Why in News?

Recently, the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) elevate the Kolamarka Conservation Reserve to a full-fledged Wildlife Sanctuary and expand the boundaries of the existing Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key Highlights

Statutory Procedure

• SANCTUARY DECLARATION UNDER WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972.
  • STEP 1 - SBWL Approval & State Govt Intent Notification (Section 18).
  • STEP 2- Settlement of Rights by Collector (Sections 19–25).      
  • STEP 3 - Final State Notification Declaring Sanctuary (Section 26A).     

Section 18 vs Section 26A (WPA, 1972)

• The state government notifies its intention to declare a sanctuary under Section 18, followed by the settlement of traditional community rights, after which the final notification is issued under Section 26A.

Conservation Reserves vs Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Conservation Reserve (Section 36A) - Uninhabited government-owned land adjacent to national parks/sanctuaries where local communities participate in management through a advisory committee.
• Wildlife Sanctuary (Section 26A)- Higher degree of legal protection; commercial exploitation is prohibited, and human activities (like non-timber forest produce collection or grazing) are strictly regulated by the Chief Wildlife Warden.

Strategic Significance

• Wild Water Buffalo Conservation- Central India's isolated wild buffalo populations in Gadchiroli face severe genetic bottlenecks and interbreeding risks with domestic cattle.
• Higher sanctuary status enables dedicated habitat management and anti-poaching enforcement.
• Western Ghats Watershed Protection- Expanding Tansa protects crucial forest canopy that prevents reservoir siltation, ensuring long-term ecological and water security for western Maharashtra's urban clusters.

Reference

The Hindu | Kolamarka Wildlife Sanctuary and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary