State Government has notified Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve under Section 36A of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972.
Conservation Reserve
- Conservation Reserve is considered a protected area under WPA 1972 and can be declared by State Governments and Central Government for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna.
- These typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India
- Regulation: Conservation Reserve Management Committee, appointed by the state Government, advises Chief Wild Life Warden.
About Hesaraghatta Grassland
- Located around Hesaraghatta Lake near Bengaluru in Karnataka and is the last remaining grassland habitat in Bengaluru region.
- Grasslands—or open regions are dominated by grass and characterised by warm, dry climate—are one of the most widely distributed terrestrial biomes globally.
- Grasslands cover 20–40% of global land area and approximately 24% of India’s geographical area.
- Globally classified into Tropical Savannas, Temperate grasslands and Steppes.
- Significance:
- Important reservoir of biodiversity including leopards, Indian Foxes, Smooth Coated Otters and migratory birds etc.
- Acts as catchment area for reviving groundwater levels and sponge to soak up monsoon runoff.
- Large catchment of the Arkavathy River, Thippagondanahalli reservoir and Hesaraghatta lake.