ECO SENSITIVE ZONE

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Context: 

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published a draft notification, proposing to notify 3,328 square kilometres around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). 

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The Union government had published a draft notification to notify 3,328 square kilometres around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). 

Recently the government revised its draft notification.

The revised notification proposed to reduce the area around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). 

Reduction was made to accommodate the basic needs of people living around the forest.

However the draft is being criticised on the grounds that it might hamper non-agricultural (permissions), and businesses of resorts, small industries etc.

Eco-Sensitive Zones

Within ten kilometers of protected areas, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries are places known as ecologically fragile areas, sometimes known as eco-sensitive zones.

Under the Environment Protection Act of 1986, ESZs are notified by the Government of India through the MoEFCC.

Even regions wider than 10 km can be included in the eco-sensitive zone if they have biologically significant patches, sensitive corridors, and linkages that are essential for connecting the landscape.

In order to minimize the detrimental effects of certain activities on the delicate environment around the protected areas, the main goal is to restrict certain activities near National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Regulations of human activities in ESZs in India: 

Prohibited activities:

The prohibited activities are:

Commercial mining, 

Sawmills, 

Industries that pollute the air, water, soil, noise, etc.; 

The construction of large hydroelectric projects (HEP); 

The commercial use of wood; 

Tourism activities such as hot-air balloon rides over the National Park; 

The discharge of effluents or any solid waste; and 

The process of producing hazardous substances.

Regulated activities: 

Felling of trees, 

Establishment of hotels and resorts, 

Commercial use of natural water, 

Erection of electrical cables, 

Drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides etc, widening of roads.

Permitted activities: 

Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, 

Rainwater harvesting, 

Organic farming, 

Use of renewable energy sources, and 

Adoption of green technology for all activities.

Study in detail about the ESZ and Gir National Park in the following articles

Eco sensitive zone

Draft Notification in ESZ

Gir National Park

National Parks in India

Project Lion

Sources:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/eco-sensitive-zone-gir-forest-protest-9607089/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q)Consider the following statements about the Eco-Sensitive Zones in India:  They are Ecologically Fragile Areas are areas within 15 km of Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The basic aim is to minimise the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas. With the exception of agriculture, all human activity is forbidden in the zones designated as eco-sensitive zones. Which of the above statements is incorrect?  A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1, 2 and 3 only D. None  Ans: A Explanation:  Statement 1 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are areas within 10 km of Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. ESZs are notified by MoEFCC, Government of India under the Environment Protection Act 1986. In the case of places with sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, even areas beyond 10 km width can also be included in the eco-sensitive zone. Statement 2 is correct: The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas. Statement 3 is incorrect: Prohibited activities: Commercial mining, sawmills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise etc), the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood, Tourism activities like hot-air balloons over the National Park, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances. Regulated activities: Felling of trees, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides etc, widening of roads. Permitted activities: Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities.