50 tiger reserves, parks await eco-sensitive zone notification
As many as 50 tiger reserves and national parks are still waiting for the final notification of eco-sensitive zones (ESZs). This includes prominent names like the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
The ESZ is an insulator that provides cover to the national parks. Activities like mining and construction are regulated in these areas so that wildlife habitat remains undisturbed. In the absence of the ESZ, land close to wildlife habitats become vulnerable to projects and human activities – including construction work, mining and encroachment — which can have a detrimental impact on wildlife.
Four wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh, two in Ladakh and three in Uttarakhand are still waiting for the declaration of ESZ.
In 2011, the Environment Ministry had directed the states to submit proposals for declaration of eco-sensitive zones. However, the ministry has found discrepancies in the ESZ proposals submitted by several states and UTs like Maharashtra, Puducherry, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep, Karnataka and Kerala. The ministry has asked these states to submit revised proposals.
The Himachal Pradesh Government has declared a 0-km ESZ around the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Environment Ministry has asked the government to submit a revised proposal and justification for declaring 0-km ESZ. The Uttarakhand Government has also proposed a 0-km ESZ around the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary.
On March 5, the Supreme Court rapped the Uttarakhand Government for its failure in declaring ESZ around the Corbett National Park and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The Uttarakhand Government informed the apex court that it would take some more time to declare ESZ.
Meanwhile, the eco-sensitive zone around the Gir National Park in Gujarat has shrunk from 17.9 km to 9.5 km. An official from the Environment Ministry said, “Several states are taking time to declare ESZs around national parks because they want to create more space for development projects. Once an ESZ is declared, states will have a duty to regulate activities inside these eco-sensitive zones.”
