The Maharashtra Government recently announced a 29.53 sq km portion of the Dodamarg forest range in Sindhudurg district as the ‘Tillari Conservation Reserve.’
The Tillari Conservation Reserve
The newly declared Tillari Conservation Reserve is the seventh wildlife corridor in Maharashtra to receive the ‘conservation reserve’ status. Encompassing nine villages within its forest range, this area is known for playing a crucial role. It serves both as a corridor and a habitat for the tiger and elephant populations that traverse the tri-junction of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
The Tillari reserve assists in connecting the Mhadei sanctuary situated in Goa and Bhimgad in Karnataka. In terms of its ecological composition, the area boasts semi-evergreen forests and tropical moist deciduous forests. It also hosts a plethora of unique trees, numerous butterfly species, and an array of distinctive flowers.
Conservation Reserves in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is home to a total of 62 conservation reserves. The Western Ghats region of Maharashtra houses 13 of these reserves, with Tillari being one of the reserves located in this biodiversity hotspot.
Conservation Reserves in India
In the context of India, the terms ‘conservation reserves’ and ‘community reserves’ refer to protected areas across the country. These areas primarily serve as buffer zones, connectors, or migration corridors linking established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserved and protected forests.
An area can be classified as a conservation reserve only if it is uninhabited and fully owned by the Government of India, yet used by communities for subsistence. On the other hand, community areas are deemed so when parts of these lands have private ownership.
The introduction of the categories of ‘conservation reserves’ and ‘community reserves’ took place through the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002 – an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This came about due to decreased protection in and around existing or proposed protected areas, primarily stemming from private land ownership and land use.
As per July 2019 data, India had 88 conservation reserves and 127 community reserves.
This recent designation of the Dodamarg forest range as the ‘Tillari Conservation Reserve’ underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of various species by maintaining their natural habitats and migratory routes.
