CM sanctions 12 conservation reserves, 3 wildlife sanctuaries

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday sanctioned a water supply project passing through the Jaikwadi bird sanctuary to meet the demands of the Aurangabad city along with 12 conservation reserves and three wildlife sanctuaries.

- Clara Lewis

Mumbai: The number of conservation reserves in the state will now total 27, up from the earlier 12, and wildlife sanctuaries will increase to 53 from 50.

At a state wildlife board meeting in Mantralaya on Monday, Thackeray who had cracked the whip only a few days ago demanding a solution for Aurangabad's water crisis, approved the proposal.

Forest officials said the project will come up on two hectares of the bird sanctuary which is non-forest area. "It is a genuine need of the local populace and is a linear project. Hence, we approved the proposal. It will now go before the National Board for Wildlife for approval," said V Ben Clement, additional principal chief conservator of forests, western wildlife region.