Conservation reserve for Gadchiroli to boost wildlife base

In a strange paradox, Maharshtra’s most thickly forested district, Gadchiroli, lags behind in healthy wildlife population. The state government wants to notify around 220 sq km area in the Naxal-affected region as a conservation reserve to improve the situation.

According to forest officials, wildlife population in the district, with 80 per cent area under forests, has suffered since a Maoist base came up in the region in the 1980s and hit protection and conservation efforts.

As per the new plan, 220 sq km area in Tipagad, northern part of Gadchiroli, close to Maharashtra’s border with Chhattisgarh, will be notified as a conservation reserve.

Divisional Forest Officer and Spokesperson of the State Forest Department’s wildlife wing, Girish Vashisht said, “Limitations to implement conservation measures due to presence of left-wing extremists and customary hunting by tribals have effected the wildlife numbers.”

A proposal to designate a conservation reserve in the region was first mooted two years ago. However, village panchayats, who have statutory rights under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, refused to consent to the plan, said a senior forest official. The department is trying to convince the 20 villages. It has also modified the proposal to cover a 220 sq km area, down from the earlier 440 sq km to win them over.

Vashisht said a conservation reserve status puts lesser restrictions than other categories of protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries. “Locals can take a call on what areas can be voluntarily closed for grazing of domestic animals. Village development works and protection can also be undertaken,” he added.

At present, herbivores like wild boar, spotted and barking deer, sloth bear, and carnivores like leopards, jackals, hyenas are found in Gadchiroli. Officials have also recorded presence of four tigers in areas like Vadsa and Alapalli. With conservation efforts, they hope an increase in herbivore numbers will draw in tigers, especially from Brahmapuri and Tadoba.

However, even after nod from villages, the department has other challenges. “Due to Naxal activities, our own movement is restricted. This may inhibit work on habitat improvement, soil and moisture conservation and general protection,” said an official.