Lok Sabha Question No. 1689 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Construction of High Rise Buildings near National Park/Sanctuary
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1689

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## Construction of High Rise Buildings near National Park/Sanctuary

## 1689. DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

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

- (a) whether a large number of high rise buildings (4/5 storeys) have been constructed near the National Park and Sanctuary in Batabari area of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether a person/organization can build such a buildings near National Parks/Sanctuary and  if  so,  the  details  of  minimum  distance  within  which  such  buildings  can  be constructed;
- (c) the details of approving Authority to allow for the construction of such buildings; and
- (d) whether the Government is planning to reintroduce tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) to (c) Proposals for developmental activities within National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Tiger Corridors and those activities requiring  environmental  clearance  inside  Eco-sensitive  Zones  (ESZ) around National Parks and Sanctuaries are forwarded by State Governments  for  consideration  by  the  Standing  Committee  of  the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL). The proposals are forwarded after thorough scrutiny by the State Government and the State Board for Wild  Life  headed  by  the  respective  Chief  Ministers.  The  SCNBWL, which also includes eminent ecologists, conservationists and environmentalists, takes informed decisions on the proposals placed for its consideration.

The  State  /  Union  Territory  (UT)  Governments  are  mandated  with management of forest and wildlife in the country.

The Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Chapramari Sanctuary has been notified on 07.06.2019 and it  extends  upto a distance of two kilometers  around the Chapramari Sanctuary. As per the ESZ  notification, no  new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted within one kilometre of the  boundary  of  the  protected  area  or  upto  the  extent  of  Eco-sensitive Zone, whichever is nearer, except for small temporary structures for ecotourism  activities.  Beyond  one  kilometre  from  the  boundary  of  the protected  area  or  upto  the  extent  of  Eco-sensitive  Zone  whichever  is nearer, all new tourist activities or expansion of existing activities shall be  in  conformity  with  the  Tourism  Master  Plan  and  guidelines  as applicable.

Further,  as  per  the  ESZ  notification  of  Chapramari  sanctuary,  no  new commercial  construction  of  any  kind  shall  be  permitted  within  one kilometre from the boundary of the protected area or upto extent of the Eco-sensitive Zone, whichever is nearer. Local people shall be permitted to  undertake  construction  in  their  land  for  their  use  as  per  building byelaws  to  meet the residential needs  of the local residents.  The construction activity related to small scale industries not causing pollution  shall  be  regulated  and  kept  at  the  minimum,  with  the  prior permission  from  the  competent  authority  as  per  applicable  rules  and regulations, if any. Beyond one kilometre it is regulated as per the Zonal Master Plan.

- (d) Initiatives have been taken by the Government to rebuild tiger population in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in association with Wildlife Institute of India and West Bengal Government.

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