Lok Sabha Question No. 891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Elephant Corridors as Eco-Sensitive Zones
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA, JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 891 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Elephant Corridors as Eco-Sensitive Zones

## 891. SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government has been directed by the National Green Tribunal to declare all elephant corridors in the country as 'Eco-sensitive zones', if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the list of elephant corridors in the country including Uttar Pradesh, State/ UT-wise;
- (c) the criteria and procedure for declaring any area as an 'Eco-sensitive zone';
- (d) the implications and effects of declaring an area as an 'Eco-sensitive zone'; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to declare all elephant corridors in the country as 'Ecosensitive zones' in compliance with the direction of the National Green Tribunal, if so, the details thereof and the time by which the same will be done?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The  Hon'ble  National  Green  Tribunal  vide  order  dated  14.11.2018  directed  Ministry  of Environment Forest &  Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to look into the issue by declaring elephant corridors all over the country as Eco Sensitive Zone by exercising its power under Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- (b) The Elephant Task  Force Report, 2010 titled  'Gajah'  has identified  27  priority  I  and  61 priority II elephant corridors.  Details of the corridors are given in Annexure A .  The list of corridors reported by states is at Annexure B.
- (c) The Ministry 's guidelines for declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) provide that the State Chief Wildlife Warden, on the suggestion of the committee comprising of concerned wildlife  warden,  an  ecologist,  an  official  from  the  local  self-government  and  an  official from  the  revenue  department,  can  group  the  activities  within  the  ESZ  in  'Prohibited', 'Restricted with safeguards' (regulatory) and 'Permissible' categories. Once the proposal for  ESZ  has  been  finalized  the  same  may  be  forwarded  by  the  states  to  the  Ministry  of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for the further process and notification.
- (d) The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) indicates that 'Areas outside the protected area  network  are  often  vital  ecological  corridor  links  and  must  be  protected  to  prevent isolation of fragments of biodiversity which will not survive in the long run. The Action Plan  also  indicates  that  'All  areas  around  Protected  Areas  and  wildlife  corridors  to  be declared  as  ecologically  fragile  under  the  Environment  Protection  Act,  1986.    India's National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-31 also stress on the need of securing wildlife corridors and  drawing  up  plans  for  management  of  these  corridors  including  prevention  of ecologically unsustainable activities. Declaring an area as  ESZ  will regulate the unsustainable activities in a given area which will ensure the protection of habitat and also free movement of animals. Declaration of ESZ will ensure the long-term survival of many species.
- (e) In compliance of the Hon'ble Tribunal judgment dated 14th November, 2018 in the Writ Petition  No.  246  of  2018  Pradip  Kumar  Bhuyan  &  Ors.  Vs.  Union  of  India  &  Ors, direction,  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change  is  examining  the feasibility of declaration of elephant corridors across the country as ESZ. The Ministry had issued many advisories and guidelines to all elephant ranging states to secure the elephant corridors by acquisition of land and in case it is not possible to secure the corridors by land acquisition the Ministry vide advisory dated 24 th August, 2017 has directed to explore the feasibility of declaring such corridors as ESZ.

***

## ANNEXURE -A

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 891 RAISED BY SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA AND SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA  PAL  REGARDING  'ELEPHANT  CORRIDORS  AS  ECOSENSITIVE ZONES' DUE FOR REPLY ON 14.12.2018.

## Elephant Corridors identified by Elephant Task Force 'Gajah'

| Priority I Elephant Corridors   | Priority I Elephant Corridors             | Priority II Elephant Corridors   | Priority II Elephant Corridors   |
|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| S.No.                           | Elephant Corridor                         | S.No.                            | Elephant Corridor                |
| 1.                              | Chilla-Motichur                           | 1.                               | Kansrau-Barkote                  |
| 2.                              | Rawasan-Sonanadi (Via Landsdown)          | 2.                               | Motichur-Gohri                   |
| 3.                              | South Patlidun-Chilkiya                   | 3.                               | Rawasan-Sonanadi (Via Bijnor FD) |
| 4.                              | Malani Kota                               | 4.                               | Chilkiya-kota                    |
| 5.                              | Simlipal-Satkosia                         | 5.                               | Fatehpur-Gadgadiya               |
| 6.                              | Baula-Kuldhia                             | 6.                               | Gora Rankhu and Gorai-Tanda      |
| 7.                              | Kotgarh-Chandrapur                        | 7.                               | Kilpura-khatima-surai            |
| 8.                              | Buxa-Ripu at Sankosh                      | 8.                               | Lagga Bagga - Kishenpur          |
| 9.                              | Ankua-Ambia                               | 9.                               | Mahilong-Kalimati                |
| 10.                             | Pakke-Doimara at Dezling                  | 10.                              | Chandil-Matha                    |
| 11.                             | Pakke-Papum at Longka Nullah              | 11.                              | Dalma-Chandil                    |
| 12.                             | Kalapahar-Daigurung                       | 12.                              | Dalma-Rugai                      |
| 13.                             | Kaziranga- Karbi Anglog at Panbari        | 13.                              | Jhunjhaka-Banduan                |
| 14.                             | Kaziranga- Karbi Anglong at Kanchanjuri   | 14.                              | Dalapani-Kankrajhor              |
| 15.                             | Pakke-Doimara at Tipi                     | 15.                              | Dumriya-Nayagram                 |
| 16.                             | Baghmara-Balpakram                        | 16.                              | Dumriya-Kundaluka and Murakanjia |
| 17.                             | Siju Rewak                                | 17.                              | Leda-Bera                        |
| 18.                             | Edayarhalli-Doddasampige                  | 18.                              | Anjadbera-Bichaburu              |
| 19.                             | Kaniyanpura-Moyar                         | 19.                              | Karo-Karampada                   |
| 20.                             | Anaimali at Punachi                       | 20.                              | Badampahar-Dhobadhobil           |
| 21.                             | Anaimalai between Siluvaimedu- Kadamparai | 21.                              | Badampahar-Karida East           |
| 22.                             | Chamranagar-Talamalai at Muddahalli       | 22.                              | Kahneijena-Anantpur              |
| 23.                             | Kalamali - Singara and Avarahalla         | 23.                              | Tal-Kholgarh                     |
| 24.                             | Moyar-Avarahalla                          | 24.                              | Nuahgaon-Baruni                  |
| 25.                             | Tirunelli - Kudrakote                     | 25.                              | Mahananda-Kolbari and Tukriajhar |
| 26.                             | Buoolavampatti-Attapadi                   | 26.                              | Apalchand-Mahananda              |
| 27.                             | Anaimalai at Waterfalls Estate            | 27.                              | Apalchand-Gorumara               |

|   28. | Apalchand-Kalimpong at mal block (Via Sylee)                    |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|    29 | Apalchand-Kalimpong at mal block (Via Meenglass)                |
|    30 | Chapramari-Kalimpong                                            |
|    31 | Rethi-Central Diana                                             |
|    32 | Rethi-Moraghat                                                  |
|    33 | Dumchi-Rethi                                                    |
|    34 | Titi-Dumchi                                                     |
|    35 | Buxa- Titi (Via Torsa)                                          |
|    36 | uxa- Titi (Via Beech and Barnbari)                              |
|    37 | Nemati - Chilapata                                              |
|    38 | Pakke-Papum at Seijosa Nullah                                   |
|    39 | Durpong-Doimukh at Khundakhuwa                                  |
|    40 | Dulung-Subansari                                                |
|    41 | D'ering - Mebo at Sigar Nalah                                   |
|    42 | D'ering - Mebo at Kongkul                                       |
|    43 | Kotha Burhidihing                                               |
|    44 | Upper Dihing East - Upper Dihing West Block at Bogapani         |
|    45 | Upper Dihing East - Upper Dihing West Block Between Golai-Pawai |
|    46 | Kukurakata-Bagser at Amguri                                     |
|    47 | Charduar-Singri Hill                                            |
|    48 | Saipunj-Narpuh                                                  |
|    49 | Rewak-Imangiri                                                  |
|    50 | Nokrek-Imangiri                                                 |
|    51 | Ranggira-Nokrek                                                 |
|    52 | Karadikkal-Madeswara                                            |
|    53 | Tali                                                            |
|    54 | Chamrajnagar- Talamalai at Punjur                               |
|    55 | Talamalai-Guttiyalattur                                         |
|    56 | Avarahalla-Sigur                                                |
|    57 | Kalhatti-Sigur at Glen Corin                                    |
|    58 | Nilambur Kovilakam - New Amarambalam                            |
|    59 | Periya at Pakranthalam                                          |
|    60 | Kottiyur-Periya                                                 |
|    61 | Kallar at Gandhapallayam                                        |

## ANNEXURE -B

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 891 RAISED BY SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA AND SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA  PAL  REGARDING  'ELEPHANT  CORRIDORS  AS  ECOSENSITIVE ZONES' DUE FOR REPLY ON 14.12.2018.

## List of Elephant Corridors Reported by the States

|   S.No. | State             | Elephant Corridors                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|---------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Arunachal Pradesh | 1. Pakke-Doimara 2. Pakke-Papum                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|       2 | Assam             | 1. Kalapahar-Daigurung 2. Kaziranga- Karbi Anglog at Panbari 3. Kaziranga- Karbi Anglong at Kanchanjuri 4. Kotha Burhidihing 5. Upper Dihing East - Upper Dihing West Block at Bogapani 6. Upper Dihing East - Upper Dihing West Block Between Golai- Pawai 7. Kukurakata-Bagser at Amguri 8. Charduar-Singri Hill 9. Lakhipathar - Takowani |
|       3 | Maharashtra       | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|       4 | Meghalaya         | 1. Baghmara-Balpakram 2. Siju Rewak 3. Rewak-Imangiri 4. Nokrek-Imangiri 5. Ranggipara-Nokrek 6. Saipung-Narpuh 7.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|       5 | Nagaland          | Six elephant corridors have been identified by the state of Nagaland and the name has not been furnished by the state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|       6 | Odisha            | 1. Badampahar-Dhobadhobani 2. Badampahar-Karida 3. West Bengal-Deuli-Suliapda 4. Simlipal-Satkosia 5. Telkoi-Pallahara 6. Karo-Karampada 7. Moulabhanja-Jiridamali-Anantapur 8. Kahneijena-Anantapur 9. Buguda-Central RF 10. Nuagaon-Baruni 11. Tal-Kholgarh 12. Barpahad-Tarava-Kantamal 13. Kotagarh-chandrapur 14. Karlapat-Urladani     |
|       7 | Tamil Nadu        | 1. Segur 2. Moyar Valley 3. Kallar Jaccanari                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

|   8. | Uttar Pradesh   | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    9 | Kerala          | 1. Kottiyur-Periya 2. Begur-Brahmagiri 3. Nilambur Kovilakam 4. Periya at Pakranthalam 5. Tirunelli - Kudrakote 6. Niambur Kovilakam- New Amarambalam 7. Mudumalai-Nilambu via O'Valley 8. Shanamangalam-Padiri 9. Aryankavu |
|   10 | Madhya Pradesh  | 1. Singrauli Sidhi -Guru Ghasidas 2. Sidhi Singrauli -Palamau                                                                                                                                                                |
|   11 | Uttarakhand     | 1. Chilla-Motichur 2. Rawasan-Sonanadi 3. South Patlidu-Chilklya 4. Malani-Kota                                                                                                                                              |
|   12 | Jharkhand       | 1. Mahilong-Kalimati 2. Chandil-Matha 3. Dalma-Chandil 4. Dalma-Rugai 5. Dalma-Asanbani 6. Musabani-Chakulia 7. Leda-Bera 8. Ankua-Ambia 9. Anjadbera-Bichaburu                                                              |
|   13 | Karnataka       | 1. Edarahalli-Doddasampige 2. Chamarajanagar - Talamalai 3. Goramadu Doddi- Dodda Muddahalli                                                                                                                                 |