Ban on felling of trees around Mangalavanam
Context: In Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary in Kochi, no commercial projects to be permitted within 1 km of the boundary.
- Felling of trees within 1 km around the boundary of the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary without prior permission from a competent authority in the State government has been restricted.
- The ban on felling of trees has been included in the list of activities prohibited or to be regulated within the eco-sensitive zone of the sanctuary by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.
- No new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted within 1 km of the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of the eco-sensitive zone, whichever is nearer.
- Small temporary structures for eco-tourism activities are permitted.
- A ban on new commercial construction of any kind within 1 km from the boundary of the protected area is placed.
- Local people shall be permitted to undertake construction work in their land.
- A monitoring committee for overseeing the implementation will be established.
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
- It is an ecologically sensitive area in Kochi, Kerala.
- It is often regarded as the "green lung of Kochi".
- It is a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds and supports many types of mangroves.