The proposal, submitted to Aranya Bhawan last month by the Purulia Forest Division, received approval within a month.
Photo: IANS/Representative
The West Bengal government has approved the creation of a new Forest Conservation Reserve in the Kotshila-Jhalda range of Purulia, marking the district’s second protected reserve after Garh Panchakot.
The project aims to strengthen wildlife conservation while promoting eco-tourism and generating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
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The proposal, submitted to Aranya Bhawan last month by the Purulia Forest Division, received approval within a month.
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The reserve will cover around 4,500 hectares across the Kotshila-Simani and Jhalda forest areas, which serve as an important wildlife corridor linking forests in West Bengal and neighbouring Jharkhand.
Speaking to The Statesman, Joypur MLA Biswajit Mahato said, “The state government has given the green signal to develop this forest area by combining the sectors into a conservation reserve. This will be the second such reserve in the district after Garh Panchakot, and we are confident it will significantly boost wildlife and nature tourism.”
The reserve has been proposed under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, which provides legal protection to ecologically significant government-owned forests that function as buffer zones and wildlife corridors.
Forest officials said the Kotshila-Jhalda forests support a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants migrating from the Dalma forest range in Jharkhand, along with leopards, sloth bears, grey wolves, Indian striped hyenas, pangolins, barking deer, chital, wild boar, nilgai, golden jackals and rock pythons.
Camera traps have also recorded rare species such as honey badgers and rusty-spotted cats.
Baghmundi MLA Rahidas Mahato said the forests have long remained a safe habitat for wildlife.
“Kotshila-Jhalda is now all set to become a protected forest. It has remained a safe haven for rare wildlife, including tigers and leopards,” Mahato said.
Forest officials said the area’s ecological importance came into focus after a Royal Bengal tiger from Jharkhand’s Palamau forests entered the region a few years ago, reinforcing its significance as a wildlife corridor.
Divisional Forest Officer Anjan Guha said work has begun with the district Land and Land Reforms Department to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
“The project will focus on habitat improvement, wildlife protection and conservation of the forest ecosystem.” Guha said.
Officials said the DPR will include plans for watchtowers, trap cameras, control rooms, thermal and night-vision drones, medicinal plantations and improved wildlife monitoring.
The project also proposes solar lighting, community infrastructure, road improvements and livelihood initiatives to support local residents.
Assistant Divisional Forest Officer Sayani Nandi said awareness programmes over the years had significantly reduced human-wildlife conflict in the region.
“With local communities now actively participating in wildlife conservation, the government plans to promote homestays, birdwatching, medicinal gardens and skill development programmes, including lac cultivation and forest-based farming, to strengthen eco-tourism and create sustainable employment opportunities,” she said.
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