News Highlight
Kerala CM announces slew of measures to blunt anti-govt. protests over the ecologically sensitive zone issue.
Key Takeaway
- Kerala CM announced a slew of measures to win the confidence of communities that felt endangered by the Supreme Court proposal to impose a 1KM ecologically sensitive buffer zone (ESZ) around protected forests in the State.
- The administration pledged complete transparency by promising to make the map approximate the desired public buffer zone viewing.
- It encouraged impacted families, primarily settler farmers, who live on the outskirts of 22 protected forests scattered across 115 densely populated panchayats in the state, to file any objections to the map by the extended January 7 deadline.
- They could speak with the panchayat secretary and forest officials to include structures omitted from the satellite survey.
Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ)
- About
- Firstly, the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002- 2016) of the MoEFCC notifies areas near protected areas, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones.
- Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are also known as Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs).
- By controlling and supervising the activities in and around protected areas, ESZs serve as a “shock absorber” for the protected regions.
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) states that establishing eco-sensitive zones must be site-specific and that any restrictions should only be necessary when necessary.
- The main goal is to control specific activities in the vicinity of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries to reduce the harm these activities do to the delicate environment surrounding the protected areas.
- Additionally, they serve as a transition zone from high-protection regions.
ESZ Significance
- The impact of urbanisation and other developmental activities would be reduced in areas designated as Eco-Sensitive Zones.
- In addition, the core and buffer management model is used to manage the protected areas, protecting and benefiting residents.
- Protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks all have eco-sensitive zones that act as a ‘Shock Absorber.’
- In-situ conservation, or preserving an endangered species in its natural habitat, is aided by ESZs.
- Furthermore, forest depletion and human-animal conflict are reduced in Eco-Sensitive Zones.
ESZ Activities permitted
- Activities Permitted under Eco-Sensitive ZonesÂ
- Ongoing horticultural or agricultural techniques, rainwater collecting, organic farming, renewable energy sources, and the implementation of green technology for all activities.
- Activities prohibited under ESZs.
- Firstly, commercial mining, sawmills, polluting businesses (air, water, soil, noise, etc.), and the construction of large hydroelectric projects (HEP).
- The use of wood for commercial purposes.
- In addition, activities are related to tourism, such as hot air balloon flights over a national park.
- The release of effluents, any solid waste or the manufacture of hazardous materials.
- Activities under regulation
- Tree felling, the creation of hotels and resorts, the commercial use of natural water, the erection of electricity lines, and a severe shift in the agricultural system.
Way Forward
- To achieve sustainable development over the long term, the States should act as a trustee for the benefit of the general public in relation to natural resources.
- The government shouldn’t limit itself to acting as a catalyst for economic activity to boost the State’s fortunes immediately.
- Promoting carbon footprints, regenerating lost habitats, and reforesting degraded forests is possible.
- Furthermore, spreading conservation methods and educating people about resource overexploitation and its negative effects.
Pic Courtesy: Journals of India
Content Source: The Hindu