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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published a draft notification, proposing to notify 3,328 square kilometres around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
The Union government had published a draft notification to notify 3,328 square kilometres around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
Recently the government revised its draft notification.
The revised notification proposed to reduce the area around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
Reduction was made to accommodate the basic needs of people living around the forest.
However the draft is being criticised on the grounds that it might hamper non-agricultural (permissions), and businesses of resorts, small industries etc.
Within ten kilometers of protected areas, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries are places known as ecologically fragile areas, sometimes known as eco-sensitive zones.
Under the Environment Protection Act of 1986, ESZs are notified by the Government of India through the MoEFCC.
Even regions wider than 10 km can be included in the eco-sensitive zone if they have biologically significant patches, sensitive corridors, and linkages that are essential for connecting the landscape.
In order to minimize the detrimental effects of certain activities on the delicate environment around the protected areas, the main goal is to restrict certain activities near National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The prohibited activities are:
Commercial mining,
Sawmills,
Industries that pollute the air, water, soil, noise, etc.;
The construction of large hydroelectric projects (HEP);
The commercial use of wood;
Tourism activities such as hot-air balloon rides over the National Park;
The discharge of effluents or any solid waste; and
The process of producing hazardous substances.
Felling of trees,
Establishment of hotels and resorts,
Commercial use of natural water,
Erection of electrical cables,
Drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides etc, widening of roads.
Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices,
Rainwater harvesting,
Organic farming,
Use of renewable energy sources, and
Adoption of green technology for all activities.
Study in detail about the ESZ and Gir National Park in the following articles
Sources:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/eco-sensitive-zone-gir-forest-protest-9607089/
PRACTICE QUESTION Q)Consider the following statements about the Eco-Sensitive Zones in India:
Which of the above statements is incorrect? A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1, 2 and 3 only D. None Ans: A Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect:
Statement 2 is correct:
Statement 3 is incorrect:
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