Archive · 26 Jul 2026
West Bengal Approves Second Conservation Reserve in Purulia
The West Bengal government has approved the creation of a new Forest Conservation Reserve in the Kotshila-Jhalda range of Purulia.
This is the district's second protected reserve after Garh Panchakot.
The reserve will cover around 4,500 hectares and aims to protect wildlife and promote eco-tourism.
It will support a variety of wildlife species and include infrastructure for tourism and community involvement.
The project also focuses on habitat improvement and wildlife monitoring.
West Bengal government approves a new Forest Conservation Reserve in the Kotshila-Jhalda range of Purulia.
The reserve will cover around 4,500 hectares and serve as a wildlife corridor linking forests in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
The project aims to strengthen wildlife conservation and promote eco-tourism.
The reserve will support a variety of wildlife species, including elephants, leopards, and Royal Bengal tigers.
The project includes infrastructure development for tourism and community involvement, such as watchtowers, trap cameras, and skill development programs.
- Who
- West Bengal government, Purulia Forest Division, local communities
- What
- Approval of a new Forest Conservation Reserve in the Kotshila-Jhalda range
- When
- Approval received within a month of proposal submission
- Where
- Kotshila-Jhalda range, Purulia, West Bengal
- Why
- To strengthen wildlife conservation, promote eco-tourism, and generate livelihood opportunities for local communities
Conservation Focus
Eco-Tourism Development
Primary Objective
Conservation Focus
Strengthen wildlife conservation and protect ecologically significant forests.
Eco-Tourism Development
Promote eco-tourism and generate livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Implementation Strategy
Conservation Focus
Focus on habitat improvement, wildlife protection, and conservation of the forest ecosystem.
Eco-Tourism Development
Develop infrastructure for tourism, including watchtowers, trap cameras, and community facilities.
Community Involvement
Conservation Focus
Engage local communities in wildlife conservation efforts.
Eco-Tourism Development
Promote homestays, birdwatching, and skill development programs to support local residents.
- Location
- Kotshila-Jhalda range, Purulia, West Bengal
- Area Covered
- 4,500 hectares
- Wildlife Species
- Elephants, leopards, sloth bears, grey wolves, Indian striped hyenas, pangolins, barking deer, chital, wild boar, nilgai, golden jackals, rock pythons, honey badgers, rusty-spotted cats, Royal Bengal tigers
- Legal Protection
- Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002
- Project Timeline
- Approval received within a month of proposal submission
- Key Officials
- Joypur MLA Biswajit Mahato, Baghmundi MLA Rahidas Mahato, Divisional Forest Officer Anjan Guha, Assistant Divisional Forest Officer Sayani Nandi