On the occasion of International Mother Earth Day (Earth Day) 2023 (22nd April 2023), the Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan announced 3 new conservation reserves that will protect the rare and endangered wildlife of Rajasthan.
- The 3 new wildlife conservation reserves are Sorsan in Baran, Khichan in Jodhpur, and Hamirgarh in Bhilwara.
- With the declaration of 3 new conservation reserves, the total number of reserves in Rajasthan has now reached 26.
Point to note:
Following the declaration of these areas as conservation reserves, It becomes mandatory for any developmental projects in these regions to get clearance as per the Forest Conservation Act, 1990. Any developmental projects within the conservation area need to get the approval of the National Board for Wildlife, and the State Board of Wildlife.
Soran:
i.The grasslands of Sorsan in Baran house the Great Indian Bustard, a species which is on the verge of extinction and the blackbucks, the state animal of Rajasthan whose population has been drastically declining due to excessive hunting, habitat loss and rampant deforestation.
ii.The declaration of Sorsan in Baran will protect the Great Indian Bustard and the blackbucks.
Note: Only 200 Great Indian Bustards, the Critically Endangered birds, are left in the world.
Khichan
i.Annually during the Winter season, Khichan in Jodhpur hosts thousands of Demoiselle Cranes, locally called “Kurjan”.
ii.This will be India’s first conservation reserve for Demoiselle Cranes.
Hamirgarh
With the declaration of Hamirgarh in Bhilwara as a conservation reserve, the forest department of Rajasthan aims to protect the wildlife and ecosystem of this region.
Note: The government is yet to announce the exact species that will be protected in the Hamirgarh conservation reserve.
What is a conservation reserve?
In India, Conservation reserves and community reserves refer to the protected areas which act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India.
- These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002 − the amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Additional info:
Some of the popular conservation reserves in Rajasthan include Bisalpur Conservation Reserve in Tonk, Jodbeed Gadhwala Bikaner Conservation Reserve in Bikaner, Khetri Bansyal Conservation Reserve in Jhunjhunu, and Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve in Pali.
Recent Related News:
On March 17, 2023, Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan announced the state government’s decision for the formation of 19 new districts and 3 new divisional headquarters in the State.
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister(CM)– Ashok Gehlot
Governor– Kalraj Mishra
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary; Tal Chhapar Sanctuary
Zoological Park– Nahargarh Biological Park (Jaipur Zoo); Machia Biological Park (Jodhpur Zoo)
