Why in News?
Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary in Jharkhand has drawn attention for being India’s only protected area dedicated exclusively to the conservation of the Indian grey wolf. Recent features in travel and wildlife media have highlighted the sanctuary’s unique role in protecting this elusive predator and the challenges it faces from habitat loss and human conflict. The publicity aims to raise awareness and promote eco‑tourism that benefits local communities.
Background
Located in Latehar district of Jharkhand, the Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary was notified in 1976 within the greater Palamau Tiger Reserve. Covering about 63 square kilometres of dry deciduous forest, grasslands and rocky plateaus, it provides an ideal habitat for the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). This subspecies once roamed across the Indian subcontinent but has declined sharply due to the conversion of grasslands into farms, persecution over livestock predation and fragmentation of territory. Wolves are apex predators and play a vital role in controlling herbivore populations and maintaining ecological balance.
Key features of the sanctuary
- Habitat diversity: The sanctuary’s terrain includes sal forests, open grasslands, scrub and rocky outcrops. This mosaic supports wolves as well as species like leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, four‑horned antelopes (chousingha) and a variety of birds.
- Breeding dens: Wolves dig dens on elevated rocky ground to rear pups. Park authorities and local communities protect these denning sites during the breeding season (January to March) by limiting disturbance.
- Cultural ties: Indigenous tribes in the region have co‑existed with wolves for generations. Folklore often depicts the animal positively, and some communities view the wolf as a totem, which helps reduce persecution.
Challenges and conservation efforts
- Habitat fragmentation: Encroachment by agriculture and infrastructure projects reduces available territory for wolves and disrupts their movement corridors.
- Human–wildlife conflict: Wolves occasionally prey on livestock, leading to retaliatory killings. Compensation schemes and community awareness campaigns aim to mitigate this conflict.
- Monitoring and research: Forest departments and wildlife organisations conduct surveys using camera traps, scat analysis and radio collars to estimate wolf populations and understand their ecology.
- Eco‑tourism potential: Developing responsible tourism can create livelihoods for local residents, incentivising them to protect wildlife and habitat.
Sources: The Times of India