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A Wildlife Sanctuary can be termed as a large geographical piece of land, usually forested, where animals are kept in their natural habitats. The primary purpose of designating areas as a Wildlife Sanctuary is to provide a shelter or refuge to the animals so that they can live and thrive in their natural homes. A Wildlife Sanctuary also insulates animals from being killed by poachers or from other more fierce animals. Over the years, these sanctuaries have been instrumental in preventing many rare species of animals from being extinct.
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Keyterms: Wildlife, Sanctuary, land, natural habitats, animals, territories, Animal kingdom
Read more: Biomes
Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
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Following is a list of some of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries of India.
| S.No | Name of the Sanctuary | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary | Karnataka |
| 2 | Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve | Maharashtra |
| 3 | Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala |
| 4 | Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary | Odisha |
| 5 | Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary | Gujarat |
| 6 | Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary | Jammu and Kashmir |
| 7 | Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary | Rajasthan |
| 8 | Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary | Andhra Pradesh |
| 9 | Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu |
| 10 | Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala |
Wildlife Sanctuaries – A Rule Book
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There has been a stringent endeavor to enforce the rules pertaining to wildlife sanctuaries so as to discourage miscreants and offenders from committing any illegal activities.
Many times, other more fierce animals also try to harm the creatures being sheltered inside the sanctuaries.
Following rules help the law-enforcing agencies to protect the animals from getting harmed.
- Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and with the 2006 amendment, the Indian Government has strived hard to define clearly what is lawful and what is not, making the punishment for illegal activities more severe to deter the offenders.
- Any form of animal hunting is prohibited.
- There have been many programs protecting and managing wildlife habitats.
- Trade of animal body parts has been made severely punishable.
- Organized tourist activities have been banned inside the sanctuaries.
- Civilians have been debarred from entering unescorted inside the sanctuaries.
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| Chapter Related Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Red Data Book | Wildlife | Difference between environment and ecology |
| Ramsar sites | Endemic Species | Cryopreservation |
Significance of Wildlife Sanctuaries
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- One of the foremost reasons for setting up these sanctuaries is to keep the endangered species from getting extinct. Sanctuaries provide a protective environment where these species can thrive. Many of the endangered animals like Lions, Tigers, Pandas, Rhinoceros, and Orangutan etc. have usually been poached a lot for their skin and organs. Since the Sanctuaries are guarded well, it acts as a deterrent for poachers.
- Endangered species can easily be monitored and their exact number kept track of in a sanctuary. The modern wildlife sanctuaries are closely guarded with hi-tech surveillance systems like CCTVs and Intruder alarms.
- As researchers keep track of animals inside sanctuaries, offspring of endangered animals can be protected well from accidental killings by their own species. It is also easy to locate their specimen and send them to conservation parks where they can be preserved.
- Students of zoology or researchers studying animal behaviors can easily find their subject matter in the sanctuaries. It also becomes relatively easier for animal enthusiasts to study them in their natural habitat and write books on them.
- There are sanctuaries that act like rehabilitation centers for outcast or injured animals. Whether it’s a stray tiger cub that has lost its mother or an injured hyena brutally wounded in a hunting expedition, sanctuaries help these animals survive the harsh jungle rule – “survival of the fittest” - of animal kingdom.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries also play a major role in protecting the rights of animals. In forests interspersed with human colonies, animals’ natural habitats are easily encroached upon and chances of their persecution and killing increase manifold. Lots of times, animals inadvertently venture into places colonized by humans and get killed. And moreover, most of the animals are not habitual of human presence in their territories. Sanctuaries insulate animals from all their encroachments.
Read more: Kt extinction
Steps taken for protection of Wildlife Sanctuaries
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- The Indian government has augmented the measures to protect the constantly diminishing number of animals and wildlife. Following are some steps:
- The Wildlife Protection Act 1972, with an amendment in 2006, criminalizes the act of cruelty towards animals, advocating harsh punishment for the act of hunting or poaching of animals.
- The governments at both – state and central levels – have been instrumental in setting up national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect the animals from any kind of abuse.
- Various projects like project Tiger started in 1972 and project Elephant initiated in 1992 by Indian government have been quite fruitful in preserving these two animals.
- In order to protect the wetlands in India, Wetland (Conservation and Management) 2010 Rules have been proposed. Another scheme by the central government to preserve the Aquatic Ecosystem has also been started that provides assistance to various states to preserve the wetlands.
- The establishment of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been another important step taken by the Indian government to curb the international illegal trade of animal skin and organs.
- Wildlife Institute of India under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change was set up in 1982. The institute is instrumental in carrying out wildlife research with areas specializing in Biodiversity, Wildlife Management, Eco-development and Wildlife Forensics to name a few.
- The Bombay Natural History Society, started in 1883, is still actively involved in preservation and research of wildlife.
- An Ornithological center named after Dr. Salim Ali in Tamilnadu carries out elaborate research in the field of migration of birds and their habitats.
- The state governments in India have also emphasized in strengthening the field formations and patrolling around the preservation areas for animals.
- In December, 2005, The National Tiger Conservation Authority was established to give a new lease of life to the Tiger project in India, preserving the dwindling number of tigers and their ecosystem.
Read more: Ecology
Constitutional Steps taken by the India Government to protect Wildlife
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The government of India, exercising its constitutional powers, passed many acts to protect the wildlife in India. Some of them are as follows:
- Prevention to Cruelty to Animals 1960
- Environment Protection Act 1986
- Forest Conservation Act 1980
- Biological Diversity Act 2002
- Mines and Mineral Regulatory Act 1957
Read more: Flagship species
Sample Questions
Ques: Why are Wildlife Sanctuaries established ? (2 marks)
Ans: The purpose of Wildlife Sanctuaries is manifold. They provide shelter to the animals so as to help them live and thrive in their natural habitat. Sanctuaries also protect animals from being poached and over the years, they have kept many rare species of animals from being extinct.
Ques: Name few of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in India. (2 marks)
Ans: Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in India are Chinnar and Periyar Sanctuaries in Kerala, Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan and Karakoram Sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ques: What is the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 ? (2 marks)
Ans: The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was really a watershed in protecting and preserving species of animals from a consistent abuse by humans. It prohibited any kind of animal hunting. The trade of animals’ organs and skin became a severely punishable act. Organized tourist activities were banned inside the sanctuaries and civilian populations were rehabilitated outside the sanctuaries.
Ques: How is a Wildlife Sanctuary different from a National Park ? (2 marks)
Ans: Both National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are managed by authorized bodies mandated by the governments. However, the former is a protected territory setup to preserve the wildlife so that it can evolve further whereas the latter is a natural habitat that protects endangered species from being extinct. National parks are more restricted areas as compared to Wildlife Sanctuaries in terms of tourist access. National Parks also protect the landscape and natural heritage of an area besides protecting the wildlife.
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