| Notes for MPSC Preparation | Mahasarkar
Maharashtra is the third largest state in India as per the geographical area and the second largest state in India as per its population. It has wide geographical and ecological features from the coastal regions of Konkan coast to the Hilly region of Sahyadri range and semi-arid regions of basaltic plateau. Some unique features of Maharashtra are-
- It constitutes 9.36% of the total geographical area of India. The total land area of Maharashtra is 3,07,713 square km. It is a third largest state in India after Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
- On 1 May 1960 the Bombay presidency was divided to form the state of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Later in 2000 the undivided Madhya Pradesh was divided to form Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.
- The first chief minister of Maharashtra was Mr. Yashwant Rao Chavan and its first governor was Mr. Sriprakash.
- It has its boundaries with 6 states and one union territory. Its bordering states are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat Goa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; dadra and Nagar haveli is the only union territory which shares a border with Maharashtra.
- It has a coast along the Arabian Sea. It is separated from the Gangetic plain by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. Western ghats in Maharashtra are known as Sahyadri range.
- Kalsubai is the highest point in Maharashtra and it is located in Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It is divided into 5 geographical divisions- Konkan division, Nashik division, Marathwada, Vidarbha and Desh division.
- Maharashtra has two Major ports- Jawaharlal Nehru port and the Mumbai port. Vadhvan port is the 13th major port of India which is going to be constructed in Maharashtra.
- Satpura range forms a border between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
- Lonar lake, Nandur madhmeshwar and Thane creek are three Ramsar sites situated in Maharashtra.
- The Thane creek is also known as the flamingo sanctuary. It is also one of the Marine ecoregions of the world (MEOW). Ulhas river is a source of freshwater in this brackish water creek.
- Lonar lake is an endorheic lake formed by the giant meteorite impact. Recently the colour of lonar Lake changed to pink because of the presence of haloarchaea microbes.
As per Indian State of Forest Report 2021 the total declared forest cover in Maharashtra is 20.1% which accounts to 61,907.08 square km. Whereas the actual forest cover stands at 16.5%. It is mostly covered with Tropical evergreen forests, but tropical moist deciduous, tropical dry deciduous, swampy and littoral forests are also found. The tropical semi evergreen forest is found in the Konkan coast and the West coast. Whereas semi arid forest is found in the Deccan plateau region.
Distribution of land area in Maharashtra-
- 58% of the total land area in Maharashtra is under agricultural use. 20.1% is the total forest cover and the remaining area comes under the non forest uses and urban and rural settlements.
- The actual forest cover is about 16.5% in which the dense forest area is 10% and the remaining comes under the open forest. 0.04% of the geographical area of the state is covered with mangrove forests.
- The six coastal districts of Maharashtra i.e., Mumbai & Mumbai sub-urban, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg Thane and Palghar have mangrove forests. They are also known as Airoli mangroves. It is a biodiversity rich region and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It is visited by various migratory birds and flamingos every year. It lies in the path of the central Asian flyway of the migratory birds.
- In 2022 the Maharashtra government notified the 1463 hectares of mangrove cover as a reserved forest under the section 4 of Indian forest act.
Maharashtra has 6 National Parks, 50 Wildlife sanctuaries and 15 conservation reserves. It lies in the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats biogeographic region. The 6 National parks of Maharashtra are Tadoba national park, Sanjay Gandhi national park, Chandoli National park, pench national park, Navegaon national park and Gugamal National Park. Let’s discuss about them in detail-
1.) Tadoba National Park–
It is the oldest National Park in Maharashtra and was established in 1955. Along with andhari tiger Reserve it is known as Tadoba andhari tiger Reserve. It is located in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. It has a total area of 625.4 sq km. As per geographical area it is the largest national park in Maharashtra. It Mostly lies in the Deccan trap region. It is home for about 180 bird species which includes many endangered birds. It covers the area of Chimur hills, Moharli and Kolsa hill ranges.
Vegetation- It is covered with southern tropical dry deciduous forest. Teak and sal are the dominant tree present here. Other vegetation is bamboo, ain, bija, dhauda, arjuna tree etc. Hyptis Suaveolens, Lantana Camara, and Parthenium Hysterophorus are invasive plant species found here.
Fauna- some important animals found here are sloth bear, royal Bengal tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, languor etc. Birds like mottled wood owl, painted sandgrouse, tickell’s blue flycatcher etc are also found. Indian python is an endangered species found here. It is also famous for many butterfly species like Monarch, Swordtails, Mormons, and Pansies.
Key points-
- It was covered under the Project Tiger.
- Tadoba lake and Kolsa lake are found inside the National Park.
- It is drained by the Andhari river.
- Tadoba or Taru is a local tribal deity after whom this national park was named.
- It is famous for the Mugger crocodile which is found in Tadoba lake. It is designated as critically endangered in the IUCN red list.
- Bander coal mines block is located near Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve area and it has been decided by the Maharashtra government to auction these coal blocks for mining activities.
- It is connected with Pench tiger Reserve and the northern National Park with animal corridors for the safe movement of wildlife and to reduce man animal conflict.
2.) Chandoli National Park–
It is in Sahyadri Mountain range in Western Ghats. It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, later it was upgraded to a national park in 2004. It was also included in Sahyadri tiger Reserve in 2008. Earlier it was a wildlife sanctuary since 1985. It is located in Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra. It has a total area of 317.67 km square. It is a famous biodiversity hotspot located in Sahyadri range of Western ghats and it is home for many endangered plant and animal species. It is featured with tropical climate and high rainfall.
Vegetation- its climate includes moist forest of Malabar coast and moist deciduous forest of the northern Western ghats. It is famous for dwarf dry evergreen forests. Trees like Anjani iron wood tree, jamun, kokum etc are found here.
Fauna-The tiger, leopard, Indian bison, leopard cat, sloth bear, giant squirrel etc are the large animals found here. Birds like jungle babbler, Yellow billed babbler, white throated kingfisher, black kite etc are found here.
Key points-
- It is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Kandaroh falls and Tanali falls are famous waterfalls situated inside the National Park.
- Famous Maratha forts of 17th century like Bhairavgarh and Prachitgad forts are also situated inside it. This area was also used as a prison under Maratha r
- It was under Project tiger along with Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
- Warna river is the major river which flows through it.
- ‘Saddas’ are the unique geographical feature of this place. They are small rocky hills and plateaus formed by lateritic rocks. No vegetation grows is found on them.
3.) Sanjay Gandhi National Park–
It was first established as Krishnagiri National Park. In 1981 it was renamed as Borivali National Park and in 1994 as Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is a part of Western Ghat biodiversity hotspot. It is situated in Thane and Mumbai Sub-urban district. It covers a geographical area of 87 square km. It was notified in the free independence era as the Krishnagiri National Park under the Indian forest act 1927. Geographically it is divided into 3 hilly regions- Sanjay Gandhi National Park area, Yeur area and Krishnagiri upvan.
Vegetation- Trees like Madhuca, ziziphus, bamboo, Albizzia, Terminalia, Sal etc. are found here.
Fauna- Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, spotted deer, sambhar deer, wild boar, nilgai, chinkara, civet, porcupine, monitor lizard etc are found here.
Key points-
- Famous Kanheri caves are found here. They are related to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
- It is the largest national park in the world which is situated within a city.
- It is drained by three rivers- Dahisar, Rewat and Laxmi.
- Tulsi lake and vihar lake are two important lakes found here.
- In 2022 three Asiatic lions were introduced in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park from Sakkarbaug Zoo, Gujarat.
- The Bassein creek divides the Sanjay Gandhi National Park into the Northern and southern blocks.
- It is also famous for karvy flowers which bloom once in eight years.
- Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary forms a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tansa wildlife sanctuary.
- The Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Dhubri tiger Reserve together form the Sanjay Dhubri tiger reserve area. It is a biodiversity rich region and comprises semi evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
4.) Pench National Park–
It is found near Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border. It was established in 1965 as a wildlife sanctuary. In 1975 it was declared as a national park and in 1992 it was declared as a tiger reserve. Now it has been renamed as Priyadarshini Pench National Park. It spans over Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh and Nagpur in Maharashtra. It is a protected area spanning over the Satpura and maikal It covers a total geographical area of 257.3 square km. It is famous for mixed dry deciduous forest and grasslands.
Vegetation- it is famous for southern dry broadleaf teak forest and mixed deciduous forest. Mahua, mokha, tendu, achar, palash, teak etc are found here. It is also famous for trees having medicinal properties like curcumina, sarpgandha, aswagandha, and satavar.
Fauna-Tiger, Dhol, leopard, sloth bear, Indian bison, species of deer etc. Migratory birds like peafowl, crow pheasant, juglefowl etc are also found.
Key points-
- Pench river flows through the middle of this National Park. It divides it into eastern and western blocks.
- Historically this area had a great forest cover, and it is mentioned in the medieval Indian accounts like Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazal and the Jungle Book written by Rudyard Kipling was also based on this forest area.
- It was declared as the 25th tiger reserve under project tiger in the year 1999.
- Pench tiger Reserve includes Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and Pench Mowgli sanctuary.
- The Pench National Park has the highest density of herbivore population which supports the good royal Bengal tiger population.
5.) Nawegaon National park–
It was established in 1975 in Gondia district of Maharashtra. Geographically it is located in Vidarbha region. It has a total area of 133.78 km2. It has a varied vegetation pattern from mixed dry deciduous forest to moist forest. It is located in the eastern most part of Satpura range.
Vegetation- It has both dry deciduous and moist forest. Trees like teak, jamuna, mahua, bhel, bor, ain, haldu, fishing cat, four horned antelope etc are found here.
Fauna-Tiger, panther, jungle cat, small Indian civet, palm civet, wolf, jackal etc. It is home to birds like hornbill, grey headed fish eagle, oriole, woodpecker, owl etc.
Key points-
- Nawegaon lake is a famous birding spot. It is declared as an important bird area (IBA). It is occupied by many migratory birds on their way to the Central Asian flyway.
- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, a famous birding spot for migratory birds is located in this National Park. It is home for nearly 60% of the total bird species in Maharashtra.
- The navegaon nagzira tiger Reserve is one of the most prominent tiger habitats in India and it is home for about 1/6th of the total tiger population in India. The Navegaon nagzira tiger reserve region includes navegaon National Park nagzira tiger Reserve and Koka wildlife sanctuary. It is the 46th tiger Reserve of India and 5th tiger reserve of Maharashtra after Tadoba tiger Reserve, Pench tiger reserve, melghat tiger Reserve and Sahyadri tiger reserve.
- Animal corridors are demarcated to connect this National Park with Kanha National Park(Madhya Pradesh), Pench National Park(Madhya Pradesh), Indravati Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh) and Tadoba National Park(Maharashtra) for easier wildlife movement and reducing man animal conflict.
- Gond tribes are found here.
- Recently black panther also known as melanistic leopard was spotted in Navegaon nagzira tiger reserve.
6.) Gugamal National Park–
It is in Gawilgarh Hills of Satpura Range. It was established in 1974 in Amravati, Maharashtra. It has a total area of 483 square km. Its topographical features include rugged mountains, valleys and plateaus. It is famous for southern tropical dry deciduous forest, bamboo forest and g This National park is named after the Gugamal hill range which runs from the middle of it. It forms and ecological continuity between the protected areas in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra of the Satpura hill range.
Vegetation- It has a southern dry deciduous forest. Teak, ain, Indian gooseberry, lendia, dhawada, bamboo and kusum are the famous tree found here.
Fauna-Bengal tiger, fishing cat, striped hyena, Indian leopard, chausinga, rate, macaque, flying squirrel, gaur, barking deer etc. Crocodiles, Indian cobra, Indian python, monitor lizard etc are some famous amphibians found here.
Key points-
- Tapi river flows through it.
- Orchids and strobilanthus flowers are also found here.
- It is a part of Melghat tiger reserve. It is an important tiger Reserve in India and it is said that it is one of the last natural tiger habitats left in Maharashtra.
- It is also home to various tribal communities like the Korku and Gond tribe. Korku is a major tribal community which lived around the melghat region.
- It was the first tiger Reserve of Maharashtra.
- It lies in the watershed region of the Chandrabhaga river.
Challenges faced in wildlife conservation in Maharashtra-
- Man animal conflict- Maharashtra tops among the states in the number of deaths due to man animal conflict. In 2022 about 105 people lost their lives because of man animal conflict in Maharashtra.
- Conflicting rights entitlements- national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are designated in the Wildlife protection Act 1972 for the protection and conservation of wildlife in the country. Whereas the forest rights act of 2006 gives rights to tribals and adivasi communities who were historically dependent on the forest land for their sustenance and livelihood. Both these acts are conflicting in terms of their implementation and conservation efforts.
- Poaching and illegal trade- as per the 2021 data Maharashtra ranks top among the States in the number of deaths of tigers caused because of poaching. As of 1st January 2021, 17 tigers and 165 leopards have lost their lives because of poaching.
- Mining activities- Maharashtra is rich in Gondwana coal deposits, iron ore, manganese ore, natural gas, Limestone etc. Exploration of these natural resources and mining activities are in contravention to the conservation principles of national park and wildlife sanctuaries. They create a threat for the natural habitat and the wildlife species. Oil spills are the major threat to the coastal habitat
- Habitat fragmentation- because of unplanned expansion of human settlements and increasing agriculture cover the habitats of the wildlife species are becoming fragmented. Even the efforts to build wildlife corridors is not enough for the easy movement of tiger population in Maharashtra.
- Invasive species- Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora, Opuntia stricta, as well as of Senna etc are the invasive species which are occupying some major protected areas in Maharashtra and they are obstructing the development of native plants. They are detrimental for the natural course of development of wild animals.
- Tourism and economic pressure- Maharashtra is the financial capital of India and is a major economic centre in the country. Unplanned and unregulated tourism activities are creating pressure on the ecological habitat of the region.
- Awareness creation- the lack of people participation is becoming a challenge in the wildlife conservation efforts. People are themselves encroaching in the critical wildlife habitats which is a major for increasing man animal conflict. Awareness generation and the participation of people, civil society and NGOs are required for wildlife conservation.
Also See: Maharashtra History Notes for Maharashtra PSC
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