Centre proposes eco-sensitive zone for villages surrounding Bhitarkanika National Park
- In Reports
- 07:04 PM, Jun 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently unveiled a draft notification proposing an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha's Kendrapara district and neighbouring areas.
This Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) encompasses 209 villages with a population of approximately 2.75 lakh. Bhitarkanika is renowned as India's second-largest mangrove forest after Sundarbans, while Gahirmatha is famed as the world's largest nesting site for sea turtles.
According to Manas Das, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) at Bhitarkanika National Park, the proposed ESZ will span 497.67 square kilometres, extending from 0.10 kilometre to 8.7 kilometre around the boundaries of Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, and Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary.
The ESZ will cover 205 villages across Aul, Pattamundai, Rajnagar, Rajkanika, and Mahakalapada blocks in Kendrapara district, as well as Chandabali block in Bhadrak district. Its primary objectives are to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, promote in-situ conservation of wildlife, and reduce adverse impacts on fragile ecosystems.
The MoEFCC has invited suggestions or objections to the proposed ESZ until August 9, 2024. This initiative aims to safeguard the biodiversity and ecological balance of the region, ensuring sustainable conservation efforts amid growing human activities and developmental pressures.
According to the draft notification, the Bhitarkanika area hosts the largest natural population of estuarine crocodiles in India and is renowned for its diverse reptilian species. It boasts Asia's largest heronry, a seasonal phenomenon during the monsoon, and attracts winter migrants to its wetlands annually.
Bhitarkanika is also designated as Odisha's second Ramsar site, highlighting its importance for wetland conservation. Meanwhile, Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is globally recognised for the mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles.
The notification outlines plans to formulate a zonal master plan within two years. It stipulates that local land cannot be used for commercial or industrial purposes without approval from the state government.
The master plan aims to restore denuded areas, conserve existing water bodies, manage catchment areas, implement watershed management, and ensure soil and moisture conservation. It will also address the ecological and environmental needs of the local community and other pertinent aspects.
In adherence to the guidelines, new constructions of hotels and resorts will be prohibited within one kilometre from the boundaries of the protected area or within the extent of the Eco-sensitive zone, whichever is closer. These measures aim to safeguard the fragile ecosystems and biodiversity of the region while promoting sustainable development practices.
In the proposed Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ), activities such as industrial pollution, stone crushers, commercial mining, sawmills, shrimp farms, brick kilns, commercial firewood use, and hydroelectric projects are prohibited. Construction of roads and installation of power lines require approval from the MoEFCC, and only non-polluting industries are permitted within the zone.
All activities in the ESZ will be governed by the Environment Act, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2011, Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, Indian Forest Act 1927, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and other applicable laws.
Image source: The Economic Times
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