Lok Sabha Question No. 352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Environmental Crises in Ecologically Sensitive Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 352

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Environmental Crises in Ecologically Sensitive Areas

## 352.      SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  acknowledge  that  uncontrolled,  unplanned  construction  and unscientific  infrastructural  development  are  causing  serious  environmental  crises  in ecologically sensitive areas, leading to major disasters such as landslides and cloudbursts in  several  States  of  the  country  in  recent  years  particularly  in  Jammu  and  Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh;
- (b) whether  construction  in  the  name  of  tourism  infrastructure,  hydro  projects  or  other development activities has been permitted in the eco-sensitive zones declared/protected by the Government in various States during the last decade, if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise;
- (c) whether the Government intends to formulate a clear national policy to prevent uncontrolled construction and environmental degradation in ecologically sensitive areas, if so, the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (d) The very purpose of declaring Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) and Ecologically sensitive Areas (ESA) is to create a kind of 'Shock Absorber' for the specialized ecosystems, such as Protected Areas or ecologically important areas forming larger landscapes. These zones act as transition areas between regions of high protection and areas with relatively lesser protection.

Notifying Eco-sensitive Zones/Areas around the Protected Areas is an important measure for management  and  conservation  of  wildlife  and  biodiversity  while  simultaneously  ensuring sustainable  development  in  the  surrounding  landscapes  keeping  in  view  the  developmental aspirations of local people. After the publication of final Eco-sensitive Zone notification in the official Gazette, the respective State Governments/Union  Territory Administrations are mandated to prepare a Zonal Master Plan within two years in consultation with line departments and in accordance with the stipulations  contained in the notification.  The Zonal Master Plan regulates developmental activities within the Eco-sensitive Zone by strictly adhering to the list of  prohibited,  regulated and promoted activities, with an emphasis on eco-friendly livelihood options for local communities.

To prevent uncontrolled and unplanned construction and unscientific infrastructure development in  ecologically  sensitive areas,  activities  such  as  commercial  mining,  establishment  of  major hydroelectric  projects,  setting  of  industries  causing  pollution,  etc.  are  prohibited  within  Ecosensitive Zones/Areas. The Zonal Master Plan further mandates the identification of vulnerable hill slope areas where construction is not permitted. In addition, construction on steep hill slopes or slopes exhibiting high degree of erosion is not permitted, in order to minimise environmental degradation and to reduce disaster risks. Further, the monitoring committee also oversees the implementation of the provisions of ESZ/ESA notification.

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