{"id":30506,"date":"2024-10-07T18:39:10","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T13:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=30506"},"modified":"2024-10-07T18:39:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T13:09:12","slug":"proposed-eco-sensitive-zoneesz-around-gir-forest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/07-10-2024\/proposed-eco-sensitive-zoneesz-around-gir-forest","title":{"rendered":"Proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone(ESZ) around Gir forest\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Syllabus :GS 3\/Environment<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In News\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) proposed a 3,328 sq km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)<\/strong> around the Gir forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Later, the area was reduced to 2,061 sq km to accommodate local community needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Eco-Sensitive Zones<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • They are areas identified for their unique environmental resources that require special conservation efforts, as defined by the National Environment Policy (2006).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The concept was established during the XXI meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife in January 2002, leading to the Wildlife Conservation Strategy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Legal Framework:<\/strong> The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides the basis for declaring lands within 10 km of protected areas as eco-fragile zones.<\/strong>\n
        \n
      • National Environment Policy 2006\u00a0 established guidelines for ESZs to protect areas outside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • State forest departments prepare ESZ proposals, which are submitted to the MoEFCC for scrutiny.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • After a draft notification is issued, public suggestions and objections are invited for 60 days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Based on public input and expert recommendations, the MoEFCC issues a final ESZ notification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          Prohibited Activities<\/strong><\/td>Permitted Activities<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
          Commercial mining and stone quarrying.Major hydroelectric projects.Handling of hazardous substances.Discharge of untreated effluents.Setting up brick kilns.Establishing polluting industries with high environmental risks.<\/td>Local communities are allowed to continue ongoing practices such as:Agriculture and horticulture.Dairy farming.Aquaculture and fisheries.Poultry and goat farming.Food-related enterprises.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Objectives\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • To protect the environment from degradation caused by human activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • To create a buffer for specialized ecosystems (Protected Areas).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • To serve as transition zones between areas of higher and lower protection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • To maintain ecological balance within permissible limits regarding environmental parameters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • To notify areas as ESZs while regulating sustainable developmental activities, considering local needs and aspirations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Protests<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Previous proposals for Gir’s ESZ have faced public protests due to concerns about wildlife protection versus human activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Politicians argue that farmers need the right to protect themselves from wild animals while working.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Leaders have requested exemptions for certain villages to protect non-agricultural activities and local businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • The proposed ESZ around the Gir forest has sparked significant debate about the balance between wildlife conservation and local development needs, highlighting the complexities involved in managing protected areas.\n
                  \n
                • Conservation efforts should not hinder local development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • ESZs serve as crucial zones for protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance while allowing sustainable development that considers the needs of local communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                  Gir Forest<\/strong>
                  – Gir Protected Areas include the Gir National Park, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary.
                  – The Gir Forests is the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in semi-arid western India and covers an area of 1,153.42 sq. km, with 258.71 sq. km declared as a National Park.
                  – Significance : <\/strong>It is the last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), an endangered species that was saved from extinction through conservation efforts.\u00a0The Maldharis, a pastoral community living in Gir, have a historical symbiotic relationship with the lions. Their settlements are known as “nesses.”<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  Source:IE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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