ESZ Notification for Sariska Sanctuary

Why in the NEWS?

• The notification of Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) will be issued by June 30, 2025.

Key Points:

• The process has been initiated as per the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
• Rajasthan Forest Department has started the work of rationalizing CTH in the state.

What will you read next in this topic?

• Adjustment of CTH boundaries:
• Deadline extension:
• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Adjustment of CTH boundaries:

• The designated CTH of STR is spread over 881.11 sq km, which is more than 492 sq km of Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The fragmented structure of the existing CTH has posed legal and management challenges.
• The rationalisation process will ensure that the total area of ​​the CTH is not reduced while increasing the boundary of the wildlife sanctuary.
• The revised boundaries will be aligned with the core and critical habitat of the STR.

Deadline extension:

• The initial deadline was September 30, 2024, which has now been extended to June 30, 2025.
• The state government has requested the Supreme Court for a deadline extension so that full compliance of the CEC recommendations can be achieved.
• An expert committee has been constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which is conducting a scientific study in this regard.
• The ESZ notification will be issued after rationalisation of CTH and is expected before December 31, 2025.

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)

• These are buffer zones around specially protected areas (such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries).

Objectives of Eco-sensitive zones (ESZ):

• Environmental protection: To maintain ecological balance around protected areas.
• Creation of buffer zone: A buffer zone is created to prevent direct impact of human activities in the core area of ​​sanctuaries and national parks.
• Balance between development and conservation: Biodiversity is protected by restricting or controlling development work under ESZ.

Legal basis:

• ESZ notification is issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• The Supreme Court has recommended declaring an area up to 10 km as ESZ, but it can be more or less according to the geographical conditions of the area.

Activities prohibited in ESZ:

• Large-scale construction work.
• Mining and industrial activities.
• Plastic waste disposal.

Permitted activities:

• Organic farming.
• Sustainable livelihood activities for local communities.
• Eco-tourism.

Why it is important:

• Ensuring protection of wildlife and natural habitats.
• Protecting traditional rights and means of livelihood of local communities.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 

• Protects wild animals, birds, and plants for ecological security.
• Restricts hunting and trading of endangered species.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 48A: State duty to protect wildlife and forests (42nd Amendment, 1976).
• Article 51A: Citizens' duty to protect the environment and show compassion.

Need for the Wildlife Protection Act:

• Protects India’s biodiversity and prevents ecological imbalances.
• Strengthened weak British-era laws.
• Established national parks and sanctuaries (only five existed before the Act).

Salient Features:

• Forms wildlife advisory boards and protected areas.
• Prohibits hunting and trading of scheduled species.
• Provides for wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, conservation reserves, and community reserves.
• Central Zoo Authority (1992) and National Tiger Conservation Authority for wildlife oversight.

Protected Areas:

• Sanctuaries: Protect animals; limited human activity allowed.
• National Parks: No human activity or grazing; boundaries are fixed.
• Conservation & Community Reserves: Wildlife protection with local participation.
• Tiger Reserves: Special zones for tiger conservation.

Schedules of the Act:

• Schedule I & II: Maximum protection; highest penalties.
• Schedule III & IV: Protected species; lower penalties.
• Schedule V: Vermin species; may be hunted.
• Schedule VI: Protected plant species; prohibits trade and cultivation.

Importance:

• Ensures wildlife survival and ecological balance.
• Curbs poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat destruction.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is an important law for the protection and improvement of the environment in India.
• It was enacted on 19 November 1986.
• Objective: To protect and improve the quality of the environment, as well as to ensure the prevention, control and abatement of pollution.

Powers of the Central Government:

• To take all measures necessary for the protection and improvement of the environment.
• To plan and execute nationwide programmes for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
• To lay down standards for the quality of the environment and for the emission or discharge of pollutants.
• To impose restrictions or prescribe conditions on industries, operations or processes in certain areas.
• To lay down procedures and safety measures to prevent accidents relating to environmental pollution.

Environmental Clearance: 

• Environmental clearance is required for any industrial or developmental activity, so that the ecosystem is not harmed.

Pollution control: 

• Monitoring of industrial units, setting of pollution control standards and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are covered under this Act.

National awareness: 

• This law plays a vital role in raising national awareness towards environmental protection and promoting sustainable development.