Ecologically Sensitive Areas

About Ecologically Sensitive Areas

• Ecologically Sensitive Areas are protected buffer areas around protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
  • It is also known as Ecologically Sensitive zones in some contexts. 
  • It is identified for special environmental protection because of its rich biodiversity, fragile ecosystems, or important ecological functions.
• Origin: The concept gained prominence under India’s National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), which recognised that areas around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and wildlife corridors are vital for maintaining ecological connectivity.
• Importance:  ESZs are created as “shock absorbers” for the protected areas to minimize the negative impact on “fragile ecosystems” by certain human activities taking place nearby.
  • These areas are also meant to act as a transition zone from areas requiring higher protection to those requiring lesser protection.
• Notified under: It is notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• How are ESZs determined: The size of an ESZ is decided on a case-by-case basis.
  • Around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, it can extend up to 10 km from their boundaries.
  • Ecologically important corridors and landscape linkages beyond this limit may also be included.
• Supreme Court Ruling (2022): In June 2022, the Supreme Court directed that every protected forest, national park, and wildlife sanctuary must have a mandatory eco-sensitive zone of at least 1 km from its boundary.
  • The Court stated that these buffer zones are essential to protect fragile ecosystems from human activities and to maintain ecological connectivity.
• Protection ESA Areas get:
  • Being declared an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) does not stop all development activities. Instead, it restricts or regulates activities that may harm the environment while promoting sustainable practices.
  • Activities such as mining, quarrying, thermal power projects, highly polluting industries, and large construction projects are often prohibited or strictly controlled.
  • Other activities, including tree felling, road expansion, hotel construction, and intensive farming, are regulated. At the same time, eco-friendly practices like organic farming, rainwater harvesting, and green technologies are encouraged.
  • ESA status also ensures that development projects undergo stricter environmental assessment, taking into account biodiversity, wildlife, water resources, and ecological connectivity before approval.
• Designated ESA Areas in India:  The Centre has notified hundreds of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and wetlands, as eco-sensitive zones to regulate development and preserve ecological connectivity.
• Examples:
  • • Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Aravalli range
    • Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape in Assam
    • Gir National Park in Gujarat
    • Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan
    • Sundarbans in West Bengal etc.