Wildlife Sanctuary: Provisions, Significance, Issues & More | UPSC Notes

A Wildlife Sanctuary is an area where wildlife, especially animals and birds are well protected and the natural habitats conserved. These places offer a haven to endangered and vulnerable species that can survive and breed naturally with minimal human interference and destruction of their habitats. The main aim is to preserve wildlife and their habitats for ecological balance, scientific study, education, and recreation. Proper management of these sanctuaries ensures that harmful human activities such as poaching, logging, and agriculture are kept in check or strictly prohibited.

This topic largely pertains to General Studies Paper III, which focuses on Environment and Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation within the framework of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Candidates need to be aware of the details of wildlife sanctuaries since it comprises all salient features of environmental policies, why biodiversity, and ways for conservation that form the core of both Prelims as well as Mains tests.

What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A sanctuary is a naturally occurring place that has been established to protect certain species of wildlife and their habitats. The main objective of a sanctuary is to protect the wildlife from sources of risks arising from the activities of poachers, habitat destruction, and other types of human disturbance. Sanctuaries usually create opportunities for the study of wildlife behavior, breeding, feeding, and other related activities in a natural environment. These can also be education and recreation centers to develop people's relation with nature.

Provisions for Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

India has its Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which outlines the legal provision regarding their creation and management. The important provisions under this Act relating to wildlife sanctuaries are

• Declaration of Sanctuary: The state government is empowered to declare an area, primarily forests, as a wildlife sanctuary if it supports significant wildlife populations.
• Restriction of Activities: Hunting, poaching and catching wildlife are strictly prohibited.
• Restraint on Habitat Manipulation: Habitat improvements that benefit wildlife, such as excavation of waterholes, are allowed, but any activity likely to be deleterious to wildlife is not.
• Conservation Plans: States to formulate conservation plans of habitat improvement measures and anti-poaching activities.
• Community Involvement: Provisions for the participation of local communities in conservation for sustainable practice.

Read the article on the Conservation of Biodiversity!

Significance of Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife sanctuaries are some of the most essential features of environmental conservation and preservation of biodiversity. These include the following:

• Biodiversity Conservation: These sanctuaries help preserve different species of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic or endangered.
• Equilibrium in the Ecosystem: Such sanctuaries preserve wildlife, which subsequently preserves balance in the ecosystem, leading to proper working of several ecosystems.
• Scientific Research: They act as natural laboratories for researchers in studying the behaviour, genetics, disease, and other essential parts of conservation biology.
• Education and Awareness: It acts as a very important educational site so that public awareness regarding conserving biodiversity is built.
• Tourism and Economy: Sanctuaries may establish ecotourism, which boosts the local economy as well as acts as an incentive for conservation.

Read the article on the List of National Parks in India!

Steps Taken by the Government to Protect Wildlife Sanctuaries

The central government as well as state governments in India have taken a host of steps to ensure that sanctuaries remain free from poachers. Some of the most significant steps are:

• Anti-poaching Mechanisms: The implementation of anti-poaching squads along with improvement in patrolling in the areas of the sanctuaries.
• Legal Provisions: Proper implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to curb illegal practices.
• Habitat Development: Promises like providing water holes, planting of local flora, and eradicating the invasive species.
• Community Involvement: Encouraging the participation of local communities in conservation through campaigns and incentives.
• Financial and Aid Support: Funding guarantee from international parties to uplift and sustain the sanctuaries.
• Conservation Initiatives: Initiation of projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant with certain objectives for a certain species of animal.

Read the article on Tiger Conservation in India!

Issues Concerning Wildlife Sanctuaries

Like any other set of introduced rules, wildlife sanctuaries come with numerous problems:

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: The entry and grazing of cattle lead to competition between human and wildlife.
• Inadequate Funds: The lack of finance is not enough to implement the protection measures and management practices.
• Climate Change: Changes in climate conditions affect the sanctuaries, such as their climate and source of water.
• Poaching and Unlawful Trade: Continued cases of poaching and illegal trade of wildlife pose a significant threat to the animals in the sanctuaries.
• Invasive Species: Invasive species can compete with or prey on native species, thereby deranging the local ecosystems.

Read the article on the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary!

List of Major Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Some of the significant wildlife sanctuaries across India are tabulated as follows:

Read the article on National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary & Biosphere Reserve!

Difference Between National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

The comparison table illustrating the main difference between a National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary is given below:

Read the article on the Biosphere Reserves in India!

Conclusion

Wildlife sanctuaries are important components in India's fight to conserve biodiversity. They play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, allowing scientific study, incorporating communities, and pursuing eco-tourism. Great strides have been taken toward protection, but more work needs to be done to deal with the current issues for effective conservation. This calls for multilateral cooperation between the government, local communities, and international partners to unlock harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.

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