Rajasthan’s Forest Department marked Earth Day 2023 by unveiling the establishment of three new wildlife conservation reserves aimed at safeguarding the rare and endangered wildlife species of the state. The newly designated conservation reserves, namely Sorsan in Baran, Khichan in Jodhpur, and Hamirgarh in Bhilwara, will contribute towards this crucial cause.
The Rajasthan Forest Department has set the conservation bar quite high with these new additions. Here’s how:
- The grasslands of Sorsan in Baran will be a safe home for the Great Indian Bustard, a species that’s on the verge of extinction. As per the reports, only 200 of these Critically Endangered birds are left in the world.
- Sorsan will not only protect the Great Indian Bustard, but will also protect blackbucks, the state animal of Rajasthan, whose numbers have declined drastically due to excessive hunting, habitat loss and rampant deforestation.
- Every year, Khichan in Jodhpur, hosts thousands of migratory Demoiselle cranes. Now, with the tag of conservation reserve, Khichan will be a safe home to these birds who come to this part of the country in winter.
- Khichan is also India’s first conservation reserve for Demoiselle cranes.
When areas are marked as conservation areas, It becomes mandatory for any developmental projects 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 State Board of Wildlife.
The inclusion of these three new reserves brings the total number of wildlife conservation reserves in Rajasthan to 26. Among the well-known conservation reserves in the state are Bisalpur Conservation Reserve located in Tonk, Jod Beed Gadhwala Bikaner Conservation Reserve situated in Bikaner, Khetri Bansyal Conservation Reserve in Jhunjhunu, and Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve located in Pali.