Lok Sabha Question No. 1733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Eco-Sensitive Zones in Wildlife Sanctuaries
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1733

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2018

## Eco-Sensitive Zones in Wildlife Sanctuaries

1733.   SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA:

SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

SHRI P.R. SENTHIL NATHAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has set up Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) across the country and if so, the details thereof along with the criteria set for the purpose;
- (b) whether the Government has reevaluated the boundaries of ESZ in wildlife parks and sanctuaries in the country, including Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  had  formed  any  high  level  Committee  for  conducting inspection and verification of ESZ in various wildlife parks in the country;
- (d) whether the Committee has submitted its report to the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has allowed to reduce ESZ area of certain wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the country; and
- (f) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to protect the habitat of a number of endangered animal species belonging to these sanctuaries and national parks?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  notified  EcoSensitive Zones around National Parks and Sanctuaries, under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for protection of environment and biodiversity.  So  far,  the  Ministry  has  notified  166  Eco-Sensitive  Zones proposals covering 283 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks.

The criteria  for  identification  of  Eco-Sensitive  Zones,  as  agreed  by  National Board for Wildlife are as follows:

- i. Complete protection to endemic species in its entire range;
- ii. Development processes not to reduce, damage or destroy the habitat of critically endangered or any other threatened species;
- iii. Protection to biological corridors;
- iv. Protection to highly complex and diversified ecosystem susceptible to irreversible damage , like coral reefs, mangroves, etc.
- v. Sites associated with reproductive, breeding or nurturing behaviour of rare and threatened species;
- vi. Existence of pristine forests;
- vii. Steep slopes (more than 60º)
8. (b) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not reevaluated  the  boundaries  of  Eco-Sensitive  Zones  around  National  Parks and Sanctuaries, including those in Tamil Nadu, after issuance of notification.
9. (c) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not constituted any  high  level  committee  for  conducting  inspection  and  verification  of  EcoSensitive Zones in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
10. (d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.
11. (e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not reduced the area of Eco-Sensitive Zone after issuance of notification.
12. (f) Does not arise in view of (e) above