In a significant move with major ecological implications, the protected area of the Kharmor Bird Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district has been drastically reduced. A recent government order has effectively denotified over 60% of the sanctuary's original expanse, shrinking it from 348.12 square kilometres to just 132.83 square kilometres.
A Drastic Reduction in Protected Habitat
The decision, formalized through a forest department notification, amends the original sanctuary declaration made in 1983 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. This amendment strips away approximately 216 square kilometres from conservation control, opening up vast stretches of what was once protected habitat to human activity and development projects.
The denotification specifically excludes fourteen villages from the sanctuary's boundaries. These villages include Gumanpura, Bimrod, Piparni, Siyadav, and Amodiya. The removal of these areas lifts 22 years of restrictions on land use, now permitting construction, land transactions, and various commercial activities in zones that previously served as crucial buffer areas for wildlife.
Impact on Wildlife and Development Projects
The primary casualty of this habitat loss is the Lesser Florican, one of India's rarest birds. Classified as Critically Endangered, the species has seen a severe population decline across its grassland habitats in western and central India. Habitat destruction is cited as the key threat to its survival. The bird is renowned for its spectacular mating displays during the monsoon season.
Ironically, some local farmers have welcomed the change. One farmer, whose land is now outside the sanctuary, highlighted the financial relief, stating, "The rate of lands adjacent to our farms was in crores per hectare while there was no price for our land as we were unable to sell or make any other use of it, except for farming." He also added, "The Kharmor bird has hardly been seen in the sanctuary in the last few years."
Concurrently, the decision unblocks key infrastructure projects that were stalled due to sanctuary regulations. Both the Indore-Dahod railway project and the Sardarpur–Petlawad route can now proceed without the earlier environmental hurdles.
Forest Department's New Conservation Strategy
In response to concerns, forest officials have asserted that conservation efforts for the Lesser Florican will continue, albeit with a revised strategy. DFO Vejayanantham TR told TOI that the new, smaller sanctuary area will adopt scientific methods for Kharmor conservation. He outlined plans to establish an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the revised core protected area.
"Future efforts will focus on government land within the remaining protected area," the DFO explained, indicating a more concentrated approach to safeguarding the endangered bird within the drastically reduced sanctuary limits.
This large-scale denotification raises serious questions about the balance between developmental imperatives and the preservation of India's fast-dwinding natural habitats and their unique, threatened inhabitants.
