The decisions were made at the State Wildlife Board's 18th meeting, which was presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The State Wildlife Board also approved the establishment of the Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary in Aurangabad, for which a proposal will be submitted to the National Wildlife Board.
The state has notified 15 conservation reserve areas, with eight of them authorised in the last two years alone, and Thackeray is pleased with the inclusion of the 12 new conservation areas today.
Two are in Dhule district, at Chivatibawri (66.04 square km) and Aladari (100.56 square km), four are in Nashik district, at Kalvan (84.12 square km), Muragad (42.87 square km), Trimbakeshwar (96.97 square km), Igatpuri (88.499 square km), two are in Raigad district, at Raigad (47.62 square km) and Roha (27. (103.92 square km).
The proposal to proclaim Kolamarka, Muktai Bhavani, and enlarged Lonar as wildlife sanctuaries in the state was also approved by the SWB.
In addition, ten locations in Maharashtra have been categorised as "endangered wildlife habitats."
Mayureshwar-Supe (5.15 square kilometres), Bor (62 square kilometres), Navin Bor (61 square kilometres), extended Bor (16 square kilometres), Narnala (12 square kilometres), Lonar (3.65 square kilometres), Gugamal National Park (361 square kilometres), Yedshi Ramalingaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (22.37 square kilometres), Naigaon-Mayur Wildlife Sanctuary (30 square kilometres), and the tiniest of them all, Deulgaon-Rehekuri Ante (2.17 square km).
The CM asked the responsible officials to undertake a study and find a lasting solution to the problems of wild elephants rampaging in Sindhudurg district's Dodamarg region within two months.
The proposals include prohibiting elephants from entering the Ajra, Chandgad, and Tilari areas, as well as providing additional compensation to locals whose farms and properties have been damaged by elephant herds.
With trust, he said, discuss the rehabilitation of villages in the forest region and the recompense to be paid to them.
Thackeray asked officials to give priority to wildlife conservation initiatives, and he urged officials to include the rehabilitation of forest inhabitants as part of the plan's success.
He also asked them to think about all elements before proposing forest development projects, as well as to clear all levels, including the SWB, before putting them into action.
While approving road construction works through forests and holding consultations with all stakeholders, specialists, and local NGOs, Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray emphasised that care should be taken not to interrupt animal corridors, particularly in sensitive areas with tigers.
