Relevance for UPSC CSE:
- Prelims: Eco-Sensitive Zones, Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, National Wildlife Action Plan, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Mains: GS Paper-3 – Biodiversity Conservation, Significance of Eco-Sensitive Zones, Associated Challenges/Threats, Required Measures, Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, National Wildlife Action Plan.
Why in News?
The recent flash floods in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, have underscored the critical importance of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).
What Are Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
- Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas identified as ecologically fragile and require special protection to conserve biodiversity and natural resources.
- Typically located around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other critical ecosystems, ESZs aim to act as buffers between protected areas and human activities.
Objective: The primary goal of ESZs is to minimize the impact of urbanization and industrialization on sensitive ecosystems by regulating activities in these zones.
Legal Framework of ESZs
- The Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016) provide the legal basis for declaring ESZs.
- These zones are declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to regulate activities like mining, deforestation, and pollution that could harm ecosystems.
- In June 2022, the Supreme Court of India mandated a minimum 1 km radius of ESZs around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to ensure environmental protection.
Why Are Eco-Sensitive Zones Important?
ESZs play a vital role in preserving India’s biodiversity, ensuring sustainable development, and reducing the negative effects of human activities. Here are some of the key benefits of ESZs:
- Minimizing Environmental Impact: Urbanization and industrial growth can lead to habitat loss, increased pollution, and ecological imbalance. ESZs regulate these activities by limiting the scale and nature of development around protected areas.
- Conservation of Endangered Species: In-situ conservation is critical for preserving species like the One-horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park. ESZs provide the necessary space and protection for wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict: ESZs help in managing the interface between wildlife habitats and human settlements, reducing the likelihood of man-animal conflict, which is a major concern in rapidly urbanizing areas.
- Protecting Fragile Ecosystems: By creating a shock absorber around sensitive areas, ESZs ensure that surrounding developments do not disrupt the ecological balance, thus safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Challenges Faced by Eco-Sensitive Zones
Despite their significance, ESZs face numerous challenges. Some of the key threats to their integrity include:
- Developmental Pressures: Construction of roads, dams, and urban infrastructure often encroach upon ESZs. For example, in Uttarkashi, the widening of roads under the Char Dham Project has led to ecological degradation, contributing to incidents like flash floods and landslides.
- Tourism: The increasing pressure of eco-tourism in protected areas can lead to deforestation, pollution, and the displacement of local communities. Tourism infrastructure such as hotels and resorts often violate ESZ guidelines, further endangering the environment.
- Climate Change: Climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of ESZs. Rising global temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and more frequent forest fires can severely affect wildlife and their habitats.
- Invasive Species: The introduction of exotic species like Eucalyptus and Acacia can compete with native flora and fauna, disrupting the natural ecological balance within ESZs.
Steps to Protect Eco-Sensitive Zones
There are several steps that need to be taken to protect ESZs effectively and ensure their long-term sustainability:
- Strict Enforcement of Laws: Implementing and strictly enforcing ESZ regulations is crucial. This includes prohibiting harmful activities like mining, deforestation, and industrial pollution around protected areas.
- Promoting Eco-Restoration: Reforestation and afforestation are vital for restoring damaged ecosystems. Governments and NGOs need to work together to regenerate habitats and mitigate the effects of climate change.
- Awareness and Community Involvement: Raising awareness about the importance of ESZs and involving local communities in conservation efforts can lead to better protection. Initiatives like organic farming and rainwater harvesting should be encouraged in these areas.
- Collaboration between Stakeholders: The government, civil society, and local communities must collaborate to achieve a balance between development and environmental conservation. This can be achieved by creating sustainable development plans that prioritize the environment.
Evolution of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in India
The concept of ESZs in India has evolved through a series of judicial interventions and policy developments aimed at balancing environmental conservation with developmental needs.
Early Judicial Interventions and the Emergence of ESZs
The journey towards formal recognition of ESZs began with judicial activism in the 1990s. In the landmark case of M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath (1996), the Supreme Court of India applied the Public Trust Doctrine, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to protect natural resources for public use and enjoyment. This case set a precedent for environmental jurisprudence in India.
Further, in the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to identify and declare ESZs around protected areas. This directive highlighted the need for a structured approach to conservation.
Formalization of ESZs: Guidelines and Notifications
Recognizing the need for a formal framework, the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002 adopted by the National Board for Wildlife recommended declaring areas within 10 km of protected areas as ESZs. This recommendation was later incorporated into the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016).
In 2011, the MoEF issued comprehensive Guidelines for the Declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones, providing a structured approach for states and union territories to follow in identifying and notifying ESZs.
Judicial Oversight and Enforcement
Despite these guidelines, the implementation of ESZs faced challenges. In 2006, the Supreme Court observed that many states had not responded to the MoEF’s requests to initiate measures for identifying ESZs. Consequently, the Court directed that if states did not act within four weeks, it would declare an area of 10 kilometers from the boundaries of sanctuaries and national parks as ESZs.
In 2012, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, reported that out of 662 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, proposals for declaring ESZs had been received for 641, but notifications had been issued for only 289.
Recent Developments and Supreme Court Directives
In June 2022, the Supreme Court mandated that every national park and wildlife sanctuary in the country must have a mandatory ESZ of at least one kilometer starting from its demarcated boundaries. This directive aimed to standardize the extent of ESZs across the country.
However, in August 2023, the Court modified its earlier order, allowing for flexibility in the width of ESZs, acknowledging that a one-kilometer-wide ‘no development zone’ might not be feasible in all cases.
Conclusion: The Need for Responsible Development
Eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) are crucial for the protection of India’s rich biodiversity and fragile ecosystems. The growing pressure from urbanization, industrialization, and climate change poses significant threats to these zones. To safeguard these precious areas, it is essential to strike a balance between development and conservation.
The Uttarkashi flash floods highlight the urgent need for enforcing ESZ guidelines and ensuring that development projects do not harm the environment. By strengthening legal frameworks, promoting eco-restoration, and involving local communities, India can protect its eco-sensitive zones for future generations.
Practice Questions:
Prelims:
Ques: Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
- ESZs are established to protect biodiversity and fragile ecosystems by regulating human activities in and around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Development activities such as mining, road construction, and industrialization are completely prohibited in ESZs.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is responsible for declaring ESZs and setting regulations for their protection.
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only
Mains:
Ques: Discuss the significance of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in India and critically analyze the challenges they face in the context of developmental pressures. (10 Marks, 150 Words)