West Bengal has approved the creation of its second Conservation Reserve in Purulia district, marking another significant step towards protecting wildlife habitats while promoting sustainable eco-tourism and supporting local livelihoods. The new reserve will be developed in the Kotshila–Jhalda forest landscape, following the success of the Garh Panchakot Conservation Reserve.

The proposed reserve will span nearly 4,500 hectares across the Kotshila-Simani and Jhalda forest areas. These forests form a crucial wildlife corridor connecting the forests of western West Bengal with Jharkhand, allowing animals to move safely between habitats. Such corridors are essential for maintaining healthy wildlife populations and reducing habitat fragmentation.

The proposal, submitted by the Purulia Forest Division to the state forest headquarters (Aranya Bhawan), received approval within a month. It has been prepared under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, which allows ecologically important government forests to be notified as Conservation Reserves, offering them legal protection while encouraging community participation in conservation.

The Kotshila-Jhalda forests are home to an impressive range of wildlife. The area regularly witnesses the movement of Asian elephants from Jharkhand’s Dalma forests and supports species such as leopards, sloth bears, Indian grey wolves, striped hyenas, pangolins, barking deer, chital, nilgai, wild boar, golden jackals, and rock pythons. Camera traps have also recorded elusive species including the honey badger and the rusty-spotted cat, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity.

The ecological significance of the landscape became even more evident when a Royal Bengal Tiger from Jharkhand’s Palamau forests briefly entered the region a few years ago, demonstrating that the forests function as an important wildlife corridor connecting larger forest ecosystems.

According to forest officials, work has already begun on preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in collaboration with the district’s Land and Land Reforms Department. The project will focus on habitat improvement, wildlife protection, ecosystem restoration, and eco-tourism development.

The state government expects the Conservation Reserve to generate new livelihood opportunities for local communities through nature-based tourism while ensuring that wildlife habitats remain protected. By combining conservation with responsible tourism, the initiative aims to create a model where biodiversity conservation and rural development progress together.