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VOL. 3, ISSUE 4 (2021)
Biodiversity conservation in the Melghat landscape, Maharashtra, India: Habitat connectivity, anthropogenic pressures and research priorities
Authors
Dr. Surwase Sanjay Sukhdeo
Abstract
The Melghat landscape of northern Maharashtra forms part of the
Satpura–Melghat system of the Central Indian landscape and contains dry
deciduous forests, valleys, ridges, grasslands, streams and human-used buffer
areas. Its conservation importance extends beyond the boundaries of a single
protected area because wildlife persistence depends on habitat quality,
dispersal opportunities and ecological processes operating across the wider
landscape. Melghat Tiger Reserve includes Gugamal National Park and the
Melghat, Wan, Ambabarwa and Narnala wildlife sanctuaries, together with buffer
areas. Published tiger assessments and landscape-connectivity research identify
the wider Satpura–Melghat region as important for dispersal and long-term
conservation (Jhala et al., 2014; Sharma et al., 2013) [2,
6]. This review synthesizes scientific literature and publicly available
conservation information published up to 2022 to examine landscape
connectivity, habitat structure, human pressures and research priorities. Key
issues include forest-cover change, road and linear-infrastructure impacts,
resource use in buffer areas, human–wildlife interactions, habitat degradation
and the need to reconcile conservation with local livelihoods. Available
sources identify these as concerns requiring site-specific assessment; general
threats should not be represented as measured impacts at every site. A
landscape-scale programme should combine satellite-based land-cover analysis,
camera-trap and sign surveys, occupancy modelling, genetic sampling where
feasible, road-risk mapping and participatory monitoring. Conservation
priorities include protecting existing forest links, restoring degraded patches
where ecological evidence supports restoration, applying wildlife-sensitive
infrastructure design, maintaining riparian and valley habitats, and
strengthening community partnerships. Melghat should be managed as a connected
socio-ecological landscape rather than as an isolated tiger reserve, while
future research must quantify connectivity and pressures with transparent,
repeatable methods.
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Pages:21-26
How to cite this article:
Dr. Surwase Sanjay Sukhdeo "Biodiversity conservation in the Melghat landscape, Maharashtra, India: Habitat connectivity, anthropogenic pressures and research priorities". International Journal of Environmental and Ecology Research, Vol 3, Issue 4, 2021, Pages 21-26
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