Even as ESZ is an Indian concept, it has failed to make its presence felt in environmental conservation efforts. The Government must ensure strict implementation of ESZs and include environmentally sensitive areas under its ambit
The increasing impact of climate change, combined with rising population, is exerting immense pressure on the environment and contributing to its rapid deterioration. Natural assets like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are the most affected as delicate ecology and biodiversity is threatened. As a result of continued efforts of the Government to preserve these assets, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, recently approved the declaration of 275 areas around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the country as Ecologically Sensitive Zones.
The concept of ESZs is essentially an Indian concept that has its roots in attempts by civil society to use the Environment Protection Act to promote sustainable development alongside the protection of natural heritage. The term ESZ was first used in 1991 for Dahanu taluka in Maharashtra, followed by the declaration of other ESZs like Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani and Matheran. These initiatives were taken by civil society organisations and a consequence of resolutions of the Indian Board for Wildlife in 2002, to protect areas up to 10 kilometres from the boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Inspite of its history in India, the concept of ESZs has unfortunately not made its presence felt in the mainstream environmental conservation efforts. This is evident by the fact that even today, Governments continue to plan projects in total ignorance of ESZs. The Strategic Road Development Project in Hyderabad is an apt example. The SRDP proposes to cut through the eco-sensitive zone of Hyderabad’s sprawling Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National park. Civil society and environmental experts have condemned the SRDP terming it as a ‘green murder’ as it not only compromises the ecological balance, but also proves the inability of the Telangana Government to have a long-term strategic planning for infrastructure development that is sustainable and eco-friendly.
Owing to its size and central location, the KBR national park has immense potential to act as a carbon sink to absorb the city’s pollution, besides recharging the groundwater.
The Government must ensure strict implementation of ESZs and also include other environmentally sensitive areas under the ambit and definition of ESZ. The expansion of ESZ definition can help compliment Government efforts in environmental conservation. Currently, the creation and implementation of ESZs is associated with national parks and sanctuaries, however, it will be beneficial for effective environmental conservation if the concept is extended to urban areas as well. A set of revamped and stringent ESZ norms for urban India will drastically cut down environment related violations.
The absence of such clear guidelines has allowed cities to take environment for granted. For instance, a recent report submitted after a survey by noted environmentalist MC Mehta has revealed that nearly 3,500 trees have been felled in ecologically sensitive areas in Agra, particularly near the Taj Mahal.
The report also brought to light the cutting of 7,000 more trees in the Agra forest block. Similarly, the Mumbai municipal corporation has initiated a project to reclaim land in eco-sensitive coastal zones and allow construction in no development zones. Though this has met with stiff opposition from environmentalists and concerned local citizens, the fact that the project has the backing of the State Government is disturbing. A strict set of regulations pertaining to urban ESZs could have prevented this.
Over a period of time, the civil society and dedicated environmentalists have contributed much towards preserving the delicate environment in India, this has been strengthened by the initiatives taken by the National Green Tribunal.
Recently, the NGT banned activities like paragliding and snow scooters at the eco-sensitive zone of Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. After years of commercial exploitation and ecological degeneration, the Rohtang Pass has finally got relief and an opportunity to revive its biodiversity, thanks to the efforts of NGT.
Compromising on green cover by cutting down trees has become synonymous with development. ESZs can stop this disturbing trend only if they are conceived and implemented sincerely. The implementation of an ESZ is beneficial to the environment as it acts like a shock absorber to the protected area.
However, it has to factor in the effect it will have on the local populace and their livelihood. The ESZ implementation will receive the crucial support of indigenous people if it maintains the critical balance between conservation of environment and allows legitimate socio-economic development of the area.
Development can never be at the cost of murdering trees. The Government must end the dichotomy, where on the one hand, it encourages planting of more trees and on the other hand, forests and sensitive zones are being eliminated in the name of development.