Latest news with #Eco-SensitiveZone
Deccan Herald
7 hours ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Odisha plans to ease forest, wildlife restrictions to boost tourism; experts call it dangerous
According to minutes of a high-level meeting chaired by the Odisha chief secretary on May 30, the state plans to revisit and amend Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) notifications to remove clauses prohibiting construction and commercial activities.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Odisha plans to ease forest, wildlife restrictions to boost tourism; experts call it dangerous
The Odisha government is seeking to ease environmental restrictions to promote tourism inside and around some of its most ecologically sensitive regions, including national parks, tiger reserves, coastal zones and Ramsar wetlands, according to government records. Legal and conservation experts say this move undermines forest, wildlife and biodiversity laws and tribal rights. According to minutes of a high-level meeting chaired by the Odisha Chief Secretary on May 30, the State plans to revisit and amend Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) notifications to remove clauses prohibiting construction and commercial activities. It also plans to request the Centre to allow forest land to be used for non-site-specific purposes such as hospitality infrastructure and to re-examine Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) classifications to accommodate more tourism projects along the coast. ESZs are buffer areas created around protected forests, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks to protect wildlife and biodiversity from harmful human activities such as mining, construction and polluting industries. Activities like farming, eco-tourism and the use of renewable energy are usually allowed with restrictions. The minutes note that the current "no commercial/no construction" clause in ESZ notifications "does not accurately reflect the enabling spirit" of the 2011 guidelines issued by the Centre. "ESZs notified/to be notified should be discussed with the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the tourism master plan should be taken into consideration," the MoM read. The State has decided to set up an empowered committee under the chairpersonship of the additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, with the commissioner-cum-secretary, DoT; PCCF and HoFF; PCCF (Wildlife); director, environment; CEO, Chilika Development Authority; field directors of Satkosia, Bhitarkanika and Similipal; director, Nandankanan Zoo; managing director, IDCO; chief engineer, building; managing director, Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation as members and the director, Tourism, as the member convener. However, independent ecologists, wildlife scientists or tribal representatives are absent from the panel. The committee will meet every two months to discuss issues relating to tourism projects vis-a-vis forest clearance and ESZs. Experts say Odisha's move could allow economic interests to shape regulatory frameworks meant for ecological protection and mark a dangerous departure from India's legal and ecological commitments. "The State is the constitutional trustee of forests and wildlife, with a mandate to safeguard these natural assets," Debadityo Sinha, Lead - Climate & Ecosystems at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, said. "A directive that requires states to merely 'take into consideration' the tourism master plan while notifying Eco-Sensitive Zones raises serious concerns. It implies that economic interests may override ecological imperatives," he said. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 prohibits commercial construction inside national parks and sanctuaries unless it directly supports conservation or is part of approved low-impact tourism. Forest land diversion for non-site-specific purposes such as resorts would require forest clearance under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the consent of local Gram Sabhas under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The State's proposal to remove ESZ construction restrictions is also at odds with the June 2022 directions of the Supreme Court mandating a minimum one-kilometre buffer around all protected areas to safeguard wildlife habitats. Mr. Sinha said the State's plan also contradicts the National Forest Policy, 1988, which clearly states that the derivation of direct economic benefit must be subordinate to environmental stability and the maintenance of ecological balance. "The push to expand tourism infrastructure and create exemptions for commercial activities is at odds with the spirit of the National Forest Policy, 1988," he said. "It also undermines the very rationale for notifying ESZs which is to function as shock absorbers around sanctuaries and national parks and protect ecological corridors among them." The State has also asked the Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority to re-examine CRZ classifications to support tourism in areas having "extremely high potential". However, the minutes do not mention carrying capacity assessments, environmental impact studies or consultations with wetland authorities requirements especially critical in internationally recognised sites like Chilika Lake, a designated Ramsar wetland. "The same principle applies to CRZs for coastal areas and Ramsar sites for wetlands, where the focus should remain on ecological preservation," Mr. Sinha said. "There appears to be no discussion on ecological assessments such as carrying capacity studies, strategic environmental impact assessments or any scientific evaluation of the consequences of tourism activities on natural ecosystems and wildlife." "Such vague and arbitrary administrative directions not only violate statutory mandates under forest and wildlife laws, but also risk setting a dangerous precedent. They jeopardise Odisha's rich biodiversity and undermine both national and international obligations,' Mr. Sinha added.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve faces ESZ-buffer zone discrepancy, MLC urges revision
Nagpur: BJP MLC Parinay Fuke has requested state forest minister Ganesh Naik to revise the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) boundary at Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), claiming that it is hampering infrastructure and village development work in Gondia and Bhandara. Fuke pointed out that in most tiger reserves in India the buffer zone is either larger than or equal to the ESZ. However, in NNTR, ESZ spans a larger area than the buffer zone. This discrepancy, he argued, is creating challenges in planning, development activities, and local administration. The buffer zone, intended to act as a protective layer around the core tiger habitat, typically allows for controlled human activities while safeguarding wildlife. However, the larger ESZ imposes stricter regulations over a broader area, leading to confusion and administrative inefficiencies, said Fuke. Fuke emphasized that aligning the ESZ with the buffer zone boundaries would ensure clarity for both administration and local citizens, fostering a balance between conservation and human needs. The MLC urged the state govt to review the existing ESZ notification and revise its boundaries to match or unify with the buffer zone. This move, he believes, will support sustainable development while protecting the region's rich biodiversity.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Complete demarcation of Nahargarh sanctuary: NGT
1 2 Jaipur: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the state govt to finalise demarcation and digitisation of land in Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) amid growing concerns over illegal constructions, encroachments and disputes regarding land rights. The matter pertains to the land of VanKhand Amer-54, which was notified as part of the sanctuary through govt notifications issued in 1961 and 1980. The NGT's Central Zone Bench in Bhopal, comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad, heard the case between Kamal Tiwari and the Union of India & others via video conferencing on May 27. The tribunal was informed of several serious issues, including the absence of clear demarcation, unauthorised constructions and failure to mutate the land in favour of the forest department. "Disputes also arose between individuals claiming rights over the land and authorities seeking to remove illegal structures from the forest area," the order states. The tribunal was apprised of the urgent need to prepare a digital map based on original forest notifications, land records, and khasra-scale mapping. "The process involves assessing the current status of notified forest land, revenue land, and other categories through physical verification and village-wise justification," said a senior forest official. The tribunal also took note of recent directions from Supreme Court in a related matter, wherein all States and Union Territories were instructed to prepare a consolidated record of forest land—including forest-like areas identified by expert committees—within one year. The Supreme Court further directed the Union of India to issue necessary circulars for compliance and digitization of forest land. In compliance with these directions, Rajasthan's principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden convened a high-level meeting. A committee of more than nine members was formed to undertake the demarcation exercise. "A preliminary report was submitted and is currently under verification by wildlife department. The matter will now be heard on Sept 8, 2025," said an official.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
NGT asks authorities to submit report on visitors' policy ahead of fireflies festival
Ahead of the fireflies' festival to be held between May 17 to June 22, at various locations in Maharashtra, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) instructed the Maharashtra Forest Department and tourism departments to submit a report on the visitor policy for this festival. Ganesh Borhade, a resident of Nashik who is active in wildlife conservation in this area, has recently submitted an application, stating that due to the fireflies festival being held at Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary, the protected area faces significant ecological disturbances due to unregulated tourism during the festival, such as artificial lighting from flashlights, mobile phones, and vehicle headlights, which disrupt the fireflies' natural mating behaviour, leading to a decline in their population. The application further mentioned that the activity is being conducted under eco-tourism and ought to have been governed as per the 'Eco-Tourism Master Plan'. Various private operators are permitted by the Forest Department to establish tents and camping facilities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary. A set of guidelines was issued by the Range Forest Officer (RFO), Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary and Maharashtra Forest Department in May 2024, which was inadequate for the protection of Fireflies. Hence, the tribunal is requested to frame detailed guidelines for the protection and conservation of fireflies. Considering the seriousness of the situation, the NGT on April 17 issued an order directing the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Directorate of Tourism to submit their reply affidavits within four weeks. Speaking about the development, Borhade said, 'This particular application was made with regards to Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary, however, there is a mention of other forest areas as well, where such festivals are being held. Hence, it is applicable to all those places. Currently, the guidelines for such festivals are made at the local level by the Range Forest Officers.'
