1. Definition of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) -
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), which mandates that state governments declare land falling within 10 km of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. The application of the 10-km rule varies, and areas beyond 10 km may also be notified by the Union government as ESZs if they have ecologically important "sensitive corridors." The objective is to regulate certain activities around protected areas to reduce negative impacts on the fragile ecosystem.
Prohibited activities include commercial mining, saw mills, industries that cause pollution, major hydroelectric projects, commercial use of wood, hot-air balloons over national parks, discharge of effluents or hazardous waste, and production of hazardous substances.
Regulated activities include tree felling, establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, and drastic changes to agriculture systems, such as the adoption of heavy technology or pesticides, and widening of roads.
Permitted activities include ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities.
2. Significance of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) -
The declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around protected areas serves various significant purposes.
Firstly, it helps to minimize the negative impact of development activities such as urbanization on the fragile ecosystems encompassing protected areas.
Secondly, ESZs aid in in-situ conservation by protecting endangered species in their natural habitats, like the conservation of the One-horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park. Thirdly, ESZs minimize forest depletion and man-animal conflict. Moreover, the core and buffer model of management applied in protected areas under ESZs also ensures the protection and benefit of local area communities.
Finally, the purpose of creating ESZs around protected areas is to act as a 'Shock Absorber' to minimize the negative impact on the fragile ecosystems. ESZs also act as transition zones from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
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| Okhla bird sanctuary |
3. Challenges and Threats to Eco-Sensitive Zones -
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) face several challenges and threats, including :
(i) Developmental Activities - Developmental activities such as construction of infrastructure like roads, dams, and buildings in the ESZs, can lead to environmental destruction, soil erosion, and habitat loss for species protected in these areas.
(ii) Governance and New Laws - Legislations like the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Wildlife Protection Act 1972, often fail to recognize the rights of forest communities and curtail poaching, which undermines the efforts to protect ESZs.
(iii) Tourism - The increasing pressure of tourism has led to clearing of land for new sites and gateways to ESZs, resulting in deforestation, displacement of local people, and pollution from garbage left behind by tourists.
(iv) Introduction of Exotic Species - The introduction of exotic species, like Eucalyptus and Acacia auriculiformis, can create a competing demand on naturally occurring forests.
(v) Climate Change - ESZs are impacted by the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate change. For instance, rising temperatures have generated land, water, and ecological stress, leading to forest fires or floods like the ones in Kaziranga National Park.
(vi) Local Communities - Pressure from local communities to use the protected areas for slash-and-burn agriculture, increasing population, and demand for firewood and forest produce exert pressure on ESZs.
4. One major question is - What are the potential solutions or strategies for moving forward ?
(i) Encouraging Eco-Restoration - To restore the ecology, afforestation and reforestation of degraded forests, regenerating lost habitats, reducing the impact of climate change by promoting carbon footprints and education are essential.
(ii) Creating Awareness - It is crucial to educate the public about conservation techniques, the effects of overexploitation of resources, and their negative consequences.
(iii) Collaboration at Different Levels - To achieve sustainable development, the government, civil society, and stakeholders must work together to balance sustainable development with economic growth.
The government's role should not be limited to facilitating economic activities for immediate gains; rather, it should act as a trustee of natural resources for the public's benefit in the long run.
(iv) Achieving Sustainable Development - States should aim to achieve sustainable development in the long run by acting as a trustee for the benefit of the general public in relation to natural resources.
Recent Update :
In April 2023, the Supreme Court of India revised its 2022 mandate that required the establishment of an eco-sensitive zone of at least 1 kilometer around national parks or wildlife sanctuaries.
Eco-Sensitive Zones in the News :
The controversy arose over the proposed ESZ around the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.
What Happened ?
On January 28, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published a draft notification to declare an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of 118.59 sq km around the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
Government's View - The state government feels that densely populated areas should be excluded while measuring for eco-sensitive zones. Therefore, it wants the measurement to be 88.2 sq km around the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Concerns of Farmers - The lives of thousands of farmers on the sanctuary fringes, spread over six villages, would be adversely affected. Also, the farmers would not be able to use their land and trees planted without the permission of forest officials. The construction of roads, houses, and all other development activities in the Eco-Sensitive Zones would be affected.
Earlier 2022 Supreme Court Order and Concerns Related to the Eco-Sensitive Zones :
The earlier 2022 Supreme Court order mandated a minimum 1 km eco-sensitive zone around national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. This order raised concerns about human habitations falling within the proposed eco-sensitive zones. The Center approached the court seeking modification of some of the previous directions.
The Supreme Court Order on Eco-Sensitive Zones :
(i) Applicability of the 2022 Order - The Supreme Court has modified its earlier order and stated that the earlier 2022 order will not apply to areas where the draft or final notifications have been issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It will now also not apply to national parks and sanctuaries located on inter-state borders or sharing common boundaries.
(ii) No Mining Allowed - The Court has clarified that no mining will be allowed either within national parks and sanctuaries or in a 1 km radius.
(iii) Restrictions on Permanent Structures - The Court has noted that if the previous order is continued, no permanent structure would be permitted to come up for any purpose in the ESZs. This would impact hundreds of villages situated within the ESZs in the country. Therefore, the Court has modified the order to allow the construction of small structures which are permanent in nature in areas including ESZs.
(iv) Eco-Development Activities - The Court has said that if the previous order is not modified, it will be impossible for the Forest Departments to conduct eco-development activities around national parks and sanctuaries. Therefore, the Court has modified the order to allow eco-development activities involving the construction of small permanent structures in areas including ESZs.
(v) Regulated and Permissible Activities - The Court has noted that there are various regulated and permissible activities, as well as certain projects of national and strategic importance, such as the construction of National Highways, Railways, and Defense infrastructure. The Court has modified the previous order to allow such activities to be carried out in the ESZs.
(vi) Permission for Existing Activities - The previous order required the permission of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of each State or Union Territory even for the continuation of existing activities. The Court has modified the order to make it easier for farmers and others to continue their activities without seeking such permission. The Court has asked the Ministry and State/UT to follow the provisions contained in the guidelines for the declaration of ESZs around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and also the provisions contained in the ESZs notifications pertaining to the respective Protected Areas with regard to prohibited activities, regulated activities .
Summary -
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 empowers the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India. ESZs conserve biodiversity and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The Ministry has notified 92 ESZs and 2 Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the Indian Himalayan Region. ESZs protect endangered species and involve local communities in conservation efforts. They face challenges from development, tourism, invasive species, climate change, and local community demands. Mitigating climate change requires eco-restoration and education about conservation and sustainability. Collaboration is essential for balancing economic growth with environmental protection. States must act as trustees of natural resources for long-term public good.
FAQs :
1. What do you mean by eco-sensitive zone ?
Answer : Eco-sensitive zones are areas notified by the MoEFCC around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
2. Who declares ESZ in india ?
Answer : Survey and identification of ESZs are conducted by the respective State Governments for consideration of the Central Government for declaration of the ESZs in respective States around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries as per the guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). On the basis of proposals and recommendations of the State Government, Ministry notifies the ESZs under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Section ‘3’ of the ESZ Notification provides the Guidelines for preparation of the Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) by the respective State Government and mandates preparation of the Tourism Master Plan forming part of Zonal Master Plan on the basis of the Carrying Capacity study of the concerned ESZ. In so far as the 13 States of Indian Himalayan Region are concerned, 2 ESAs and 92 ESZs have been already notified.
3. What is the importance of ESZ ?
Answer : Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create a shock absorbers space in the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
4. What activities are allowed and prohibited in ESZs ?
Answer : The activities which are allowed and prohibited in ESZs are -
1. Prohibited Activities -
Commercial mining
Sawmills
Industries causing pollution
Major hydroelectric projects
Commercial use of wood
2. Allowed Activities -
Agricultural or horticultural practices
Rainwater harvesting
Organic farming
Use of renewable energy sources
Adoption of green technology
5. What is the role of ESZ in conservation of biodiversity ?
Answer : Significance of Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) - ESZs help in in-situ conservation, which deals with conservation of an endangered species in its natural habitat. For example, the conservation of the One-horned Rhino of Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
6. Which is India's first marine eco-sensitive zone ?
Answe : Gulf of Kutch (Gulf of Kutch is India's first marine eco-sensitive zone| India Water Portal )
7. Which state has highest eco-sensitive zone in India ?
Answer : The state of Maharashtra has the maximum number of Ecologically Sensitive Zones.
8. Which state is India's first Marine National Park ?
Answer : Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch - Wikipedia
Gujarat state -
Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat state, India. In 1980, an area of 270 km2 from Okha to Jodiya was declared Marine Sanctuary.
9. How many Eco-sensitive Zones are there in India ?
Answer : 92 Eco-Sensitive Zones, 2 Ecologically Sensitive Areas notified in 13 States of Indian Himalayan Region. In order to manage and conserve biodiversity across the Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifies Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around the Protected Areas.
10. What is the difference between National Park and Biosphere Reserve ?
Answer : A national park is a reserved area of land owned by the government which is protected from industrialization, human exploitation, and pollution. A biosphere reserve is a term given to an area for the conservation of the resources of the biosphere and the improvement of the relationship between man and the environment.
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