New Wildlife Sanctuary Notified in Madhya Pradesh
Why focus: GS3 Environment. Prime fodder for 'Match the Following' comparing new protected areas (Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran) with states.
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Legal Status: The 258.64 square kilometer area of North Sagar Forest Division transitioned from 'Reserved Forest' under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, to a 'Wildlife Sanctuary' under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
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Protection Level: Upgraded protection brings stricter penalties for poaching and restricted entry, ensuring a secure corridor for migrating megafauna.
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Administrative Focus: The management shifts towards active habitat conservation, anti-poaching patrolling, and prey-base multiplication led by the state Forest Department.
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State Tally: The total number of recognized wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh officially increased from 24 to 25.
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Habitat Connectivity: Formally bridges the Panna Tiger Reserve and Madhav Tiger Reserve, officially establishing a legally protected ecological corridor for tigers and cheetahs.
What Did NOT Change
The primary jurisdiction over the land remains with the Madhya Pradesh State Forest Department. The customary rights of local communities governed under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, within the peripheral zones remain subject to standard sanctuary settlement procedures, meaning immediate blanket eviction is not mandated.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Common Misconceptions
✗ Wildlife sanctuaries can only be declared by the Central Government.
✓ State governments possess the primary power to declare wildlife sanctuaries under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
National Parks and Sanctuaries are often conflated with centrally sponsored schemes like Project Tiger, leading people to assume the Union government initiates all protected areas.
✗ A wildlife sanctuary is a strictly no-go zone with zero human activity allowed.
✓ Unlike National Parks, certain human activities like grazing and minor forest produce collection can be permitted in a wildlife sanctuary by the Chief Wildlife Warden under Section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Students often confuse the strict protection levels of National Parks (governed by Section 35) with the relatively flexible regulations of Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Practice Questions
Q1
How Many CorrectConsider the following statements regarding the newly notified Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran: 1. It is located in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh and serves as a corridor between Panna Tiger Reserve and Madhav Tiger Reserve. 2. It was declared by the Central Government under Section 35 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 3. It constitutes the 25th wildlife sanctuary in the state of Madhya Pradesh. How many of the above statements are correct?
Q2
Match the FollowingMatch List I (Tiger/Wildlife Reserves of MP) with List II (Associated Regions/Districts): List I: A. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran, B. Madhav Tiger Reserve, C. Panna Tiger Reserve, D. Ratapani Tiger Reserve. List II: 1. Raisen-Bhopal region, 2. Bundelkhand region, 3. Sagar district, 4. Gwalior-Chambal region. Select the correct code.
Q3
Assertion & ReasonAssertion (A): The establishment of the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran is critical for the long-term genetic viability of big cats in Central India. Reason (R): It acts as a legally protected wildlife corridor connecting the fragmented habitats of Panna Tiger Reserve and Madhav Tiger Reserve.