On 26 October 2026, the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife cleared proposals to notify two wildlife sanctuaries and 14 conservation reserves. The sanctuary proposals cover Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Gadchiroli, noted for wild buffaloes, and an enlarged area next to Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. The conservation reserves are spread over seven districts: Pune, Raigad, Nashik, Nandurbar, Thane, Palghar and Chandrapur. The Board also approved declaring 100.139 sq. km of Koka Wildlife Sanctuary and 255.79 sq. km of Jayakwadi Bird Wildlife Sanctuary as critical wildlife habitats. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 governs wildlife protection, and the conservation-reserve category was added by a 2002 amendment.
