Guidelines for Declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
The Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests (Wildlife Division), issued the Guidelines for Declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries under File Number 1-9/2007 WL-I(pt), dated 9th February, 2011. The guidelines ask State and Union Territory Governments to prepare site-specific proposals for regulating activities and land use around protected areas, with flexible boundaries based on local ecological conditions.
What the guidelines govern
The Guidelines for Declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries provide a framework for identifying and regulating areas around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and important wildlife corridors. Eco-Sensitive Zones are intended to act as shock absorbers and transition areas between protected areas and places with lower levels of protection.
The framework favours regulation of activities rather than complete prohibition, unless prohibition is required in a particular case. It is based on the Central Government's powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 to restrict industries, operations and processes in specified areas or allow them subject to safeguards.
Who may be affected
The Ministry of Environment and Forests framework is relevant to State and Union Territory Governments, wildlife and forest authorities, industries, land users and people with property near national parks, wildlife sanctuaries or ecological corridors. A property's position within an Eco-Sensitive Zone, and the controls applying to it, depend on the site-specific boundary and regulations proposed for that protected area.
The guidelines recognise that some protected areas are close to extensive development or within urban settings. Guindy National Park in Tamil Nadu is identified as an example of a protected area in an urban setting.
Key provisions
- Eco-Sensitive Zone boundaries must be flexible and specific to each protected area.
- As a general principle, a zone may extend up to 10 kilometres around a protected area.
- Sensitive corridors, connectivity areas and ecologically important patches beyond 10 kilometres should be included where they are crucial for landscape linkage.
- The zone need not have the same width or level of regulation on every side of a protected area.
- Regulations may take account of biological diversity, pollution limits, environmentally compatible land use and proximity to protected areas.
- The framework does not treat every area within 10 kilometres as subject to an automatic, complete ban on activity.
Proposal preparation
The Guidelines for Declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries call for an inventory of land use patterns, activities, and the types and number of industries operating around each national park, sanctuary and important corridor. Concerned Range Officers may survey activities within 10 kilometres of their ranges as the first step in preparing proposals designed to reduce negative impacts on fragile ecosystems.
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Common questions
Are all activities prohibited within 10 kilometres of a national park or sanctuary?
No. The guidelines state that activities in Eco-Sensitive Zones should generally be regulated rather than prohibited, unless prohibition is required.
Must every Eco-Sensitive Zone have a fixed 10 kilometre boundary?
No. The width must be flexible and specific to the protected area. A zone may generally extend up to 10 kilometres, but its width and regulation can vary around the boundary.
Can an Eco-Sensitive Zone extend beyond 10 kilometres?
Yes. Sensitive corridors, connectivity areas and ecologically important patches beyond 10 kilometres should be included when they are crucial for landscape linkage.
What information is collected before an Eco-Sensitive Zone proposal is prepared?
The guidelines call for an inventory of land uses, activities, and the types and number of industries around national parks, sanctuaries and important corridors. Concerned Range Officers may assess activities within 10 kilometres of their ranges.
