The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently notified an extent of 4.83 km covering 14 villages around the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district as ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ). As per the draft notification, the ESZ spreads over 308.22 sq. km around the boundary of the sanctuary.
Of these villages, Chikale, Gavase, Chapoli, Kabanalli, Kongala, Nerse, Shiroli, Dongargoan and Warkadpate have been brought under the ESZ, while Parwad, Kankumbi, Amgaon, Gawali and Pastoli have been partially included in it.
The sanctuary, spread over 190.42 sq. km, is nestled in the catchment area of the Mahadayi in Khanapur taluk. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, falling within the Western Ghats, are in its vicinity.
The notification is aimed at protecting the unique features of these forest areas considering that the Western Ghats plays a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity of peninsular India.
The sanctuary is rich in biodiversity and has a corridor for tiger and other wild animals.
It is a habitat for endangered and endemic Wroughton’s free-tailed bats and Theobald’s tomb bats. Barapede caves facilitate the only roosting and breeding place for Wroughton’s free-tailed bats.
The sanctuary with woodlands and grasslands is also home to leopards, Indian gaur, sloth bear, sambar, barking deer, chital, wild dogs, king cobra and other mammals and reptiles.
Meanwhile, Belagavi-based wildlife activist Giridhar Kulkarni of Kanan Wildlife Conservation Organisation has welcomed the notification saying that it would go a long way in protecting the rich biodiversity of the sanctuary. However, the Centre could consider including Huland, Maan, Sada, Chigule, Betne, Chorla, Kirawal, Kapoli, Kalmani, Manturga and Talewada villages falling in the Kanakumbi range of Khanapur taluk in the ESZ to prevent man-animal conflict, he said.
Mr. Kulkarni said that ESZs would not impact the livelihood of the village residents but help regulate and prohibit activities harmful to the environment.
The notification is aimed at protecting the unique
features of the forest areas
