Environment · GS3.5 · 2026-10-27 · 3 min read · 2026-10-27-am
Maharashtra Declares Two Wildlife Sanctuaries and Approves 14 Conservation Reserves
Maharashtra's State Board for Wildlife approved declaring two reserved forest areas as wildlife sanctuaries and sanctioned 14 new conservation reserves across multiple districts. This development is relevant for UPSC aspirants studying environment conservation, biodiversity protection, and forest governance.
Maharashtra expanded its protected areas by declaring two reserved forests as wildlife sanctuaries and approving 14 conservation reserves to enhance biodiversity conservation.
Why is this in the news?
On October 26, 2026, Maharashtra's State Board for Wildlife approved the declaration of two reserved forest areas as wildlife sanctuaries and sanctioned 14 conservation reserves in various districts.
What new protected areas were approved in Maharashtra?
- Wildlife sanctuaries declared. The Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Gadchiroli district was approved to become a wildlife sanctuary due to its wild buffalo population, and the newly expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary was also declared a wildlife sanctuary.
- Expansion of Tansa Sanctuary. The Board approved including 588.767 hectares of revenue and private land from six villages into the newly expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary to make it free of human habitation.
- Conservation reserves approved. Fourteen conservation reserves were approved in Pune, Raigad, Nashik, Nandurbar, Thane, Palghar, and Chandrapur districts, including areas like Velhe-Mulshi, Bhor-Girigad, Dindori, and others.
Why does this matter for forest governance and biodiversity?
- Enhanced protection for wildlife. Declaring reserved forests as wildlife sanctuaries provides stronger legal protection to habitats and species, such as wild buffaloes in Kolamarka.
- Human habitation management. Including private and revenue land from villages into sanctuaries aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict by making sanctuaries free of human habitation.
- Integrated management plans. Routine works like dam repairs and rehabilitation within sanctuaries will be incorporated into management plans with standard operating procedures to streamline approvals.
What other conservation and infrastructure measures were approved?
- Critical wildlife habitats notified. Proposals were approved to declare parts of Koka Wildlife Sanctuary and Jayakwadi Bird Wildlife Sanctuary as critical wildlife habitats.
- Infrastructure in protected areas. Approvals were given for irrigation, healthcare, water supply, bridges, roads, optical fibre cables, and electricity lines within protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, and tiger corridors.
- Policy on human-wildlife conflict and rehabilitation. The Board discussed declaring human-wildlife conflict a natural disaster and formulating rehabilitation policies for villages in tiger reserve buffer zones.
Key numbers
| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 588.767 hectares | Area of revenue and private land included in the expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| 14 | Number of conservation reserves approved across Maharashtra districts |
Back to basics: Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation Reserves
Wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas established to conserve wildlife and their habitats, where human activities are regulated to prevent disturbance. Conservation reserves are areas adjacent to national parks or sanctuaries that act as buffer zones with community involvement in protection. Both are part of India's strategy to preserve biodiversity and manage forest resources sustainably.
Practice: MCQ, Mains and revision
Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements about recent wildlife conservation measures in Maharashtra: 1. The Kolamarka Conservation Reserve was approved to be declared a wildlife sanctuary due to its wild buffalo population. 2. The Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife approved 14 new national parks across the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer and trap
Answer: (a). Statement 2 is incorrect because the Board approved 14 conservation reserves, not national parks.
Mains question (15 marks)
Examine the significance of declaring new wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves in Maharashtra for biodiversity conservation and forest governance.
Examine: Explain the reasons for expanding protected areas in Maharashtra and analyze their impact on biodiversity and forest management.
Intro: Maharashtra recently declared two reserved forest areas as wildlife sanctuaries and approved 14 conservation reserves to strengthen biodiversity protection.
- Discuss the ecological importance of sanctuaries like Kolamarka and the role of conservation reserves in protecting species and habitats.
- Explain how expanding sanctuaries by including private and revenue land helps reduce human-wildlife conflict and promotes habitat integrity.
- Analyze the integration of routine works into sanctuary management plans for efficient governance and sustainable infrastructure development.
- Evaluate the broader policy measures such as declaring human-wildlife conflict a natural disaster and rehabilitation of buffer zone villages.
Conclusion: These measures reflect Maharashtra's commitment to enhancing biodiversity conservation and improving forest governance through legal and administrative reforms.
Quick revision
- Which two forest areas in Maharashtra were declared wildlife sanctuaries in 2026?
- Kolamarka Conservation Reserve and the newly expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.
- How many conservation reserves were approved by Maharashtra's State Board for Wildlife in 2026?
- Fourteen conservation reserves were approved.
- What is the purpose of including 588.767 hectares of land from six villages into the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary?
- To make the sanctuary free of human habitation and reduce human-wildlife conflict.