Eco-sensitive Zones

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas in India, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), across Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. ESZs act as a transition zone or “shock absorber” between highly protected areas and less protected areas.

Legal Basis

The Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-sensitive Zones”.

The section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards

Besides the section 5 (1) of this act says that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas.

The above two clauses have been effectively used by the government to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFA). The same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones.

Purpose

ESZs are created to provide additional protection to the flora and fauna in Protected Areas while also considering the livelihoods and activities of local communities. They help regulate certain activities around Protected Areas to minimize negative impacts on wildlife habitats.

Extent

ESZs can extend up to 10 km or more around Protected Areas as notified. In June 2022, the Supreme Court directed that every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary have a mandatory ESZ of at least 1 km from boundaries. Larger existing ESZs will prevail.

Guidelines

In 2010, the MoEF approved guidelines with scientific criteria for declaring ESZs including endemism, rarity of ecosystems, uninhabited islands, origins of rivers etc.

Restricted Activities

Commercial mining, polluting industries, major hydro projects, commercial felling of trees etc. are prohibited in ESZs. Activities like hotels, resorts, electricity cables are regulated. Organic farming, rainwater harvesting etc. are permitted.

Compliance Monitoring

State Forest and Home Secretaries must provide lists of current structures in ESZs to monitor compliance. The State balances environment and development as a trustee of natural resources to ensure sustainable long-term growth.