The Gujarat Government’s proposal to reduce the area of eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) from 100 metres to 50 metres in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary has not got down well with a Parliamentary panel which has warned that such a move will destroy the last abode for Asiatic lions.
In its report submitted to Parliament recently, the panel led by Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury recommended that there should be uniformity regarding the declaration of ESZ around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
As per the existing guidelines, ESZ around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries should be 10 km ESZ to act as a buffer zone and some kind of shock absorber for protected areas,.
However, the panel took serious exception that the State Government was keen to reduce the ESZ to 500 metres for Gir Forest and a proposal in this regard has already been sent to the Central Ministry for its approval.
On enquiry, the representative of the Gujarat Government also passed the buck on the Central Government that it was up to it to allow or not for reducing the ESZ.
“When the chairperson enquired from the representative of the Union Government as to whether they have any fixed norm about it, the Committee was informed that the Central Government generally went by the proposals of the State Governments,” said the report.
The Committee strongly recommends to the Environment Ministry not to reduce the ESZ from existing 10 kms to proposed 500 meters, as it will surely destroy the lion habitat, the report added.
In fact, a few days ago, the Gujarat High Court has already ordered a stay on issuance of final notification by the Centre to declare the area around the Gir
Wildlife Sanctuary as eco-sensitive zone.
The High Court had responded to a PIl filed by green activist Biren Pandya which claimed that in its new proposal based on which the final notification will be issued on buffer zone around the Asiatic lions sanctuary, the State Government has reduced the area to 1,14,000 hectare area consisting of 191 villages.