Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) demarcation in Kerala
Why in news :
- The huge exercise of field verification of the map of the Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) undertaken across Kerala would end up as an inconclusive exercise without much benefits.
- Because the State government has already fulfilled the two criteria put forth by the Supreme Court for dilution of ESZ norms.
- The State was forced to organise field verification of the map prepared by the Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre following the widespread complaints from those living in areas close to protected forests.
Background of the issue :
- The State has already completed the satellite survey of the buffer zone and moved the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change six months ago for excluding the human habitations from the purview of the ESZ.
Supreme court judgement and guidelines :
- The supreme court which proposed a uniform ESZ of one kilometre from the forest boundaries in its June 3 order, had suggested that the States could seek relaxation in the ESZ in the overwhelming public interest.
- The court had also indicated that the CEC and the Ministry shall consider the requests from the States and submit them to the court along with their recommendations.
More about Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) :
- These are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- The main intention of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
- They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
- They are regulated by central government through the Min. of Environment, Forests and Climate change (MoEFCC).
- The Ministry came out with new guidelines for the regulation of such areas in 2011.
- The ministry draws its power from the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
- But there is no direct mentioning of ESZ in the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
What are the activities that are allowed, prohibited and regulated in the ESZ?
- Permitted activities :
Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, Rainwater harvesting, Use of renewable energy sources, Adoption of green technology for all activities, Organic farming. - Regulated activities :
Felling of trees, Establishment of hotels, Commercial use of natural water, Erection of electrical cables, Drastic change of agriculture system. - Prohibited activities :
Commercial mining, Saw mills, Industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise etc), Establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), Commercial use of wood, Tourism activities like hot-air balloons over the National Park, Discharge of effluents or any solid waste or Production of hazardous substances.
Syllabus : Prelims + Mains; GS3 – Environment
