The Bio Brief

While walking, Paheli saw the board Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. Professor Ahmad explained that in such places, hunting or capturing animals is strictly illegal and punishable by law.

 What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area where wild animals are kept safe in their natural habitat.

 Simple meaning:
A safe home for wild animals in nature

 Main Features

• Animals live freely in natural surroundings
• Hunting and poaching are banned
• Habitat is protected
• Some limited human activities may be allowed
  • Grazing livestock
  • Collecting firewood
  • Gathering medicinal plants

 Flow Chart — Purpose of Wildlife Sanctuary

Creation of Wildlife Sanctuary
            ↓
Protection of animals
            ↓
Safe natural habitat
            ↓
Increase in wildlife population

 Examples of Animals Protected in Sanctuaries

• Black buck
• White-eyed buck
• Elephant
• Golden cat
• Gharial
• Marsh crocodile
• Python
• Rhinoceros
• Pink-headed duck

 Problem: Encroachment

Even protected forests sometimes face danger because:

• People occupy forest land
• Trees are cut
• Habitat gets disturbed

 This harms wildlife.

 Zoo vs Wildlife Sanctuary

Children remembered their zoo visit. But zoos and sanctuaries are not the same.

 Comparison Table

Feature	Zoo	Wildlife Sanctuary
Living place	Artificial cages	Natural habitat
Freedom	Limited	More freedom
Area size	Small	Large
Purpose	Display + protection	Protection mainly
Human interference	High	Low
Animal comfort	Less	More

Easy Memory Tip

• Zoo = Animals in cages
• Sanctuary = Animals in forest

 Simple Diagram

Zoo → Artificial → Cages → Less comfort

Wildlife Sanctuary → Natural forest → Freedom → More comfort

 Are zoo conditions suitable?

Zoos provide food, shelter, and medical care, but the space is limited and artificial. Animals cannot behave fully naturally.

 Can animals live comfortably in artificial settings?

Animals can survive in zoos, but they are usually not as comfortable as in their natural habitat.

 Where are animals more comfortable?

Animals are more comfortable in their natural habitat (wildlife sanctuary) because:

• They get more space
• Natural food and surroundings
• Freedom to move
• Natural behaviour is possible

 Revision

• Wildlife sanctuary = protected natural home of animals
• Hunting and poaching are banned
• Limited human activities allowed
• Animals are happier in sanctuaries than in zoos
• Encroachment is a major threat