Project ‘Sustainable Phansad’

• 19 Mar 2025

Why in News? 

The first honey harvest took place near the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary in Raigad district of Maharashtra, marking a significant success and source of encouragement for conservation experts, naturalists, and tribal communities. 

 Key Points 

• Madhukosh:  
  • Under the ‘Sustainable Phansad’ project, the Madhukosh initiative was introduced to support tribal livelihoods through honey production. 
    • Green Works Trust, in partnership with SBI Foundation, launched this initiative. 
  • By providing a stable income, the initiative reduces dependence on activities that may harm the sanctuary’s ecosystem. 
  • The presence of bees enhances pollination, improving biodiversity in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas. 
• Sustainable Honey Harvesting: 
  • The harvested honey represents a fusion of traditional knowledge and modern bee-keeping practices. 
  • This initiative demonstrates that human activity and nature can coexist harmoniously, fostering a sustainable future for the region. 
• Expanding Conservation and Livelihood Efforts: 
  • Project ‘Sustainable Phansad’ aims to expand the bee-keeping initiative and further strengthen community participation in conservation. 
  • In addition to Madhukosh, Green Works Trust and SBI Foundation run other initiatives: 
    • EcoBEES – Provides nature education in schools and manages dry waste collection in villages. 
    • Training the Tribes – Offers supplementary education for tribal children. 
    • Conserving Jatayu – Works on reviving the vulture population in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary. 
    • Biodiversity Counts – Focuses on monitoring birds and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department. 

 Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location and Significance: 
  • It is situated in the Murud region of Raigad district, Maharashtra. 
  • It was established to preserve the coastal woodland ecosystem of the Western Ghats. 
  • It covers 17,250 acres of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. 
• Historical Background: 
  • The area was once part of the hunting reserves of the princely state of Murud-Janjira. 
  • Features open grassland pockets known as "mals", scattered throughout the sanctuary. 
• Flora: 
  • The sanctuary hosts diverse plant species, including Ain, Kinjal, Teak, Hirda, Jamba, Mango, Ficus, and many more. 
• Fauna: 
  • Major mammal species found in the sanctuary include Leopard, Hyena, Sambar, and Mouse Deer. 
  • Rich in avian biodiversity, with notable bird species such as: 
    • Malabar Pied Hornbill, Black Eagle, Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon, Pompadour Green Pigeon, and Forest Wagtail, White-rumped Vulture.