Environment minister Prakash Javadekar said that his ministry is in the process of declaring eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) of 176 protected areas across the country.
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“Ever after the Supreme Court asked for declaration of ESZ’s in 2006, the UPA managed to notify only 15 of them till 2014. On the other hand, I have approved 176 proposals.” In a 2006 ruling, the SC had said that until Centre declared ESZ’s, an area of 10kms from the PA’s would be considered as the ESZ.
What are ESZs?
ESZ’s are declared around protected areas to regulate activity in and around them and to maintain their ecological sanctity. In the case of several protected areas and tiger reserves, the ESZ’s are as important as they nurture a similar habitat and witness regular movement of wildlife. ESZ’s are also crucial in the case of urban protected areas as pressures of development are manifold.
The numbers
India has a total of 624 protected areas (PA) which include national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves. Fresh proposals for 445 ESZs have been submitted, out of which, 156 proposals are under scrutiny and 113 are with the ministry.