Question : How much new conservation reserves are declared by Maharashtra Government recently ?
(A)Six
(B)Twelve
(C)Eight
(D)None of the above
Answer (D)
Related facts
- Maharashtra Government has recently(December 2020) decided to declare ten new conservation reserves (CRs) along with a new sanctuary – Kanhargaon sanctuary (the state’s 50th) in Chandrapur district.
Ten new conservation reserves(CRs) - Government(State Board for Wildlife in Maharashtra) decided to establish 10 CRs at Mahendri, Amboli-Dodamarg (Sindhudurg), Jor-Jambhli (Satara), Muniya (Nagpur) and Chandgad, Panhalgad, Vishalgad, Gaganbawda, Mayni and Ajra-Bhudargad.
- Maharashtra : A Brief Overview of Forestry Scenario
Maharashtra, the third largest State in the country is ranked second among the States in terms of the recorded forest area. - Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 61,579 sq km of which 49,546 sq Km is Reserved Forests, 6,733 sq km is Protected Forest and 5,300 sq km is Unclassed Forests.
- In Maharashtra, during the period 1st January 2015 to 5th February 2019, a total of 3797.16 hectares of forestland was diverted for nonforestry purposes under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (MoEF & CC, 2019).
- As per the information received from the SFD, a total area of 1,47,814 ha has been notified as reserved forests during 2014 to 2019.
- Six National Parks, 48 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 6 Conservation Reserves constitute the Protected Area network of the State covering 3.03% of its geographical area.
By — Pankaj Pandey.