Karnataka sets up panel to declare eco-zones near national parks

BENGALURU: The cabinet set up a committee to identify and declare by January 31 eco-sensitive zones around eco-sensitive zones and wildlife sanctuaries.

Eco-sensitive zones are designated to be protected from industrial pollution and unregulated development under the Environment Protection Act of 1986. In 2002, the environment and forest ministry decided to declare a 10km area from the boundaries of protected areas as eco-sensitive zones to create a buffer. But many states opposed it, fearing it would hamper development. The decision was challenged in the Supreme Court which directed the Centre to formulate guidelines to declare area-specific eco-sensitive zones and allow states to identify them.

"The ministry has issued fresh directions to states, setting January 31 as the deadline to send proposals for site-specific eco-sensitive zones around protected areas, else it will by default be imposed in a 10-km area around that protected zone," Jayachandra explained.