The draft proposal for an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mayurbhanj district has been criticised by several political leaders.
Rairangpur Congress MlA Shyam Charan Hansda and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha State unit chief Sudam Marandi have opposed the proposal claiming that it would curtail economic and developmental activities in the district.
In separate memoranda to the district Collector and Chairman of the committee formed to set guidelines for final notification on the matter, both the leaders sought steps to cut down the boundary limit of the contemplated ESZ to a maximum five km from the proposed 10 km from the boundary of the Similipal sanctuary.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in a letter dated February 5, 2013 to the Principal Secretary of Forests and Environment Department has submitted a draft proposal for declaration of an ESZ around the Similipal sanctuary for consideration at the Government level at the directive of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Industrial units, construction activities, quarrying and mining, felling of trees, utilisation of water bodies for commercial purpose, noise pollution, discharge of effluents shall be banned in the proposed area.
District Collector Rajesh Pravakar Patil said the proposal would be finalised keeping in view the interests of Mayurbhanj and its people.