close_game
close_game

Maharashtra may have most biodiversity heritage sites in India by year-end

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Jul 26, 2018 04:06 PM IST

These are locations that have rich biological, ethnic, historical value and fragile ecosystems; two proposed sites in Vidarbha and Jalgaon will bring the tally to six.

By the end of 2018, Maharashtra may become the only state in India to have the highest number of biodiversity heritage sites (BHS) to its name. The Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) has proposed two more biodiversity heritage sites – an eight-hectare area in Vidarbha and 266 acres of the Landorkhori Reserve Forest in Jalgaon district. Once these are approved by the Centre, there will be six BHS in Maharashtra.

Once declared a biodiversity heritage site, the area be better protected, say experts; (above) Anjarle beach in Ratnagiri.(Photo: State forest departmentA)
Once declared a biodiversity heritage site, the area be better protected, say experts; (above) Anjarle beach in Ratnagiri.(Photo: State forest departmentA)

BHS are locations with biological, ethnic and historical value that have fragile ecosystems. To strengthen biodiversity conservation, these areas are marked as heritage sites under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. BHS are first approved by the state and then the Centre. The first and only BHS in Maharashtra at present is the six-hectare forest patch, Glory of Allapalli, in Gadchiroli district. It was notified in July 2014, a little more than a year after the state had approved it as a BHS.

In July 2017, MSBB proposed Anjarle and Velas beaches in Ratnagiri district, and Ganeshkhind in Pune be given the status of BHS. While all three locations have received nods from the state, the Centre is yet to clear the proposals.

The proposed BHS in Vidarbha is in the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district. Archaeologists recently discovered fossils a few kilometres away from this patch. “The eight-hectare site holds many more hidden secrets from at least 150 million years ago, which are yet to be excavated. Thus, more protection is need for this site as it has the ability to become a global heritage zone,” said Tushar Chavan, deputy conservator of forest, Sironcha, who submitted the BHS proposal to MSBB.

In Landorkhori Reserve Forest, the proposed BHS is around Meharun Lake and Chhatrapati Shivaji Park.

Vilas Bardekar, chairman of MSBB, said, “This area has created its own microclimate making it very suitable for wild animals to survive and is an important bird habitat. However, there have been very few efforts to document the biodiversity of this region. Once declared a BHS, threats such as water holding capacity of the lake, encroachment, water pollution due to untreated waste, and deforestation will all be addressed and the area will be better protected.”

rec-icon Recommended Topics
Share this article
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
See More
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On