Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

In News: Supreme Court exempted Maharashtra’s Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS) from creation of a one-kilometre eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around all Protected Areas in India.

• The bench is hearing applications filed in the TN Godavarman Thirumalpad case that has sought exemption from the order.
• We are all for the protection of the environment. But at the same time, we cannot halt development,” Justice Gavai said.

About TWS:

• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2003.
• It is in the suburbs of Mumbai.
• Tungareshwar is a mountain plateau situated between Virar and Vasai.
• Spread over 85 sq.km, it forms a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park (also known as Borivali National Park) and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.
• There are three different types of forests – Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous and Semi Evergreen.
• It is a popular picnic destination.
• The region is rich in biodiversity: Oriental dwarf kingfisher (a migrant bird known as the Jewel of the forest), the Leopard, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Langur, Bonnet and Rhesus Macaque, and Black-naped Hare, as well as a multitude of birds, including the Crested Serpent-eagle, Jungle Owlet, White-eyed Buzzard, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Emerald Dove and Heart-spotted Woodpecker can be found here.

Source Down to Earth

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? (2020)

1. Kanha National Park
2. Manas National Park
3. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Tal Chhaper Wildlife Sanctuary

Q.2) Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? (2020)

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 1 and 4 only