The Union Environment Ministry is set to review guidelines for eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to make them more localized and ensure that development is not hindered in these areas. ESZs are areas around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that act as a buffer to protect wildlife habitats. Currently, activities like mining and stone-crushing are banned in these areas, while agriculture and renewable energy infrastructure are allowed with restrictions. However, states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh have raised concerns that the current guidelines are too rigid and are affecting major sectors like mining, highways, railways, housing, and tourism.
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has suggested that the regulation of projects in ESZs should not be uniform and should vary depending on the ecological sensitivity of the region. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has emphasized the need for strict protection in core areas, but also noted that extending a blanket 10-km ESZ to all protected areas could hinder local development. He suggested that ESZ rules should be adapted to the specific ecological and socio-economic realities of each region.
Members of the NBWL have pointed out that the current guidelines are too rigid and are affecting local communities. For example, in Himachal Pradesh, 65% of the state’s area already has protected status, and further imposition of rigid ESZ norms could hinder local development. The Chief Wildlife Warden of Himachal Pradesh has also noted that the restrictions imposed in ESZs are resulting in hardships to the affected population, with no compensation or relief provided.
The review of the ESZ guidelines is expected to involve consultations with stakeholders, including state governments, relevant ministries, environmental experts, and the ESZ division. A formal inter-ministerial consultation process will be followed to solicit views from all departments before finalizing any changes to the guidelines. The goal is to provide better ecological safeguards while also allowing for localized development in ESZs.
Overall, the review of the ESZ guidelines is a step towards finding a balance between conservation and development. By making the guidelines more localized and adaptive to the specific ecological and socio-economic realities of each region, the government aims to protect wildlife habitats while also allowing for sustainable development in ESZs. This approach is expected to benefit both the environment and local communities, and will be closely watched by stakeholders in the coming months.