Maharashtra Approves Sanctuary Status for Kolamarka and Tansa
On October 26, 2026, Maharashtra's wildlife board designated two forest areas as wildlife sanctuaries and 14 others as conservation reserves.
Kolamarka and Tansa are now recognized as wildlife sanctuaries.
Fourteen conservation reserves span seven districts, enhancing regional biodiversity.
Proposals for infrastructure projects in protected areas were also approved.
The Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife convened on October 26, 2026, to approve significant conservation measures, including the designation of Kolamarka and Tansa as wildlife sanctuaries. This decision was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the board's 26th meeting, which he chaired.
Kolamarka, located in Gadchiroli district and noted for its wild buffalo population, was officially recognized as a wildlife sanctuary. Additionally, the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary has been expanded and will now receive the same status, furthering the state's commitment to wildlife preservation.
The board's approval also included the establishment of 14 conservation reserves across seven districts, which are Pune, Raigad, Nashik, Nandurbar, Thane, Palghar, and Chandrapur. Notable reserves include Velhe-Mulshi in Pune and Raigad, as well as Ghumtara in Thane. These initiatives aim to bolster biodiversity and protect various ecosystems in the region.
In a move to enhance the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary, the board approved the inclusion of nearly 589 hectares of land from several villages to eliminate human habitation from the sanctuary. Furthermore, proposals to designate critical wildlife habitats within Koka and Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuaries were also greenlit, indicating a broader strategy for wildlife conservation.
Looking ahead, CM Fadnavis emphasized the need for integrating routine maintenance tasks into wildlife management plans and ensuring that infrastructure projects in protected areas align with conservation goals. Officials were instructed to assess the compatibility of these initiatives with existing regulations and to prepare a detailed proposal regarding staffing and management within newly designated sanctuaries within a month.
