Context:
National Green Tribunal asks MoEFCC to finalise deadline for declaring western ghats an eco sensitive zone
Eco Sensitive Zones:
- Mentioned under – Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Land within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is to be notified as Eco-Sensitive Zones (MoEFCC)
- Areas beyond 10-km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors.”
- Activities in ESZs –
- Prohibited – Commercial mining, setting of saw mills and industries causing pollution, major hydro-power projects etc.
- Regulated – Felling of trees, drastic change in agriculture systems and commercial use of natural water resources, including groundwater harvesting and setting up of hotels and resorts.
- Permitted – Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, rainwater harvesting, use of renewable energy sources etc.
Supreme Court modifications on ESZs:
- In 2022, the Supreme Court mandated that a minimum 1-km ESZ around national parks or wildlife sanctuaries should be there.
- However, in 2023, SC ruled it is not applicable to ESZs in respect to which draft and final notifications have been issued.
- It is also not being applicable where the protected sites are located on inter-state borders or share common boundaries.
- No mining is allowed, either within national parks and sanctuaries or in a 1-km radius.
Related Article: Wayanad Landslide
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements:
1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than of inland wetlands
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The statement 2 is incorrect
The area under inland wetlands accounts for 69 %; coastal wetlands 27% and other wetland 4%.
