Raj forest dept plans new wildlife divisions across state

Jaipur: The state forest department is set to redraw its administrative map with the creation of new forest and wildlife divisions.The restructuring, expected to be notified shortly, will bring sweeping changes to the Jaipur-Sariska landscape while creating more than a dozen new forest ranges across the state.“The proposal has already received approval from forest minister Sanjay Sharma and is expected to be implemented in phases once the formal notification is issued,” an official source said.A senior official said a key component of the proposal is the creation of a new STR-2 division by bringing together Beelwadi, Virat Nagar, Thanagazi, and parts of Ajabgarh. “These areas have assumed greater conservation significance in recent years as tigers dispersing from Sariska Tiger Reserve have increasingly been using them as movement corridors.”Officials said the proposal has gained significance as tiger movement beyond the reserve has become more frequent. In the recent past, a male tiger from Sariska used the forest corridor and reached the Jaipur landscape. After spending time near Jaipur, tigers returned to the reserve, highlighting the ecological importance of these forests.“The new division will enable more scientific habitat management, closer field monitoring and quicker response to wildlife-related incidents.

It will also strengthen protection of wildlife corridors and help keep a closer watch on illegal mining activities in forest areas on the outskirts of Jaipur,” the official added.The department has proposed carving out a separate Jaipur Wildlife Division by reorganising forest areas currently falling under Dausa, parts of the Bandikui range, Jamwa Ramgarh and Raisar. Officials said, “The reorganisation is aimed at reducing the administrative burden on the existing division, allowing field staff to focus more effectively on surveillance, habitat protection and enforcement in ecologically sensitive and vulnerable forest areas.

”Another key feature of the restructuring is the creation of an independent wildlife division comprising Nahargarh Biological Park, Hathi Gaon, Jhalana Leopard Reserve, and Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The division is expected to be headed by an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer who will oversee wildlife conservation, rescue operations, tourism management, and administration of the zoo and protected areas.Officials said the move recognises the growing importance of Jaipur’s wildlife destinations, which have witnessed a steady rise in tourist footfall and conservation responsibilities over the past few years. “In many states, zoo administration is handled by a dedicated DFO. In Jaipur, however, it has so far remained an additional charge under the Jaipur DFO, limiting the scope for focused management of the city’s expanding wildlife assets.

”The proposal also envisages the creation of more than a dozen new forest ranges across Rajasthan’s newly constituted districts. These ranges will strengthen field presence, improve patrolling, protect wildlife corridors and enable quicker administrative and enforcement action.