Bandipur Tiger Reserve becomes first tiger reserve to notify its ESZ

BANGALORE: Bandipur Tiger Reserve became the first tiger reserve in the country to notify its Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) a week ago, on October 4. These eco-sensitive zones can be treated as 'breathing spaces' for wildlife and are demarcated based on their ecological importance which reigns in developmental activities inimical to wildlife and their habitats.

While these zones are completely compatible to livelihoods of local communities living around Protected Areas, they bring with them the order on the mushrooming of tourist resorts, mining activities, industries and other footloose developmental activities disrupting wildlife corridors outside reserve boundaries.

This assumes importance since Bandipur is in a very crucial part of the tiger conservation landscape connecting other wildlife habitats such as the Nagarahole and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves and Waynaad Wildlife Sanctuary. These continuous areas host the highest density of tigers, their prey species and Asian elephants in the world.

The delineation of the ESZ was mandated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and a Supreme Court order in WP No. 460/2004. Accordingly, an initial draft ESZ plan was drawn through thorough analysis of wildlife corridors, ecologically important areas and needs of people. Further extensive public consultations were held with MLAs, MLCs of the area, village communities, and local body members before drawing up the final ESZ plan. No restrictions are imposed on existing agriculture, livestock rearing and the other activities of local communities.

The Bandipur ESZ was a result of efforts put in by H S Mahadeva Prasad - MLA of Gundlupet, Additional Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, B J Hosmath - Field Director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Sanjay Gubbi - Member of State Board for Wildlife and B. K. Singh, the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).

This success story is a good example of how synergistic efforts between elected representatives, government officials and cvil society members can result in a win-win situation for both people and wildlife. Local communities can use the ESZ to protect their lands from being acquired for industries, mining and other similar activities that are also incompatible with wildlife conservation.

"The ESZ is a critical tool to wildlife conservation and Karnataka has set an example by declaring it around Bandipur Tiger Reserve. It is fervently hoped that other Protected Areas follow suit which would result in strengthening our efforts in protecting our wildlife and wild lands," said Sanjay Gubbi.