Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve faces ESZ-buffer zone discrepancy, MLC urges revision
Fuke pointed out that in most tiger reserves in India the buffer zone is either larger than or equal to the ESZ. However, in NNTR, ESZ spans a larger area than the buffer zone. This discrepancy, he argued, is creating challenges in planning, development activities, and local administration.
The buffer zone, intended to act as a protective layer around the core tiger habitat, typically allows for controlled human activities while safeguarding wildlife.
However, the larger ESZ imposes stricter regulations over a broader area, leading to confusion and administrative inefficiencies, said Fuke.
Fuke emphasized that aligning the ESZ with the buffer zone boundaries would ensure clarity for both administration and local citizens, fostering a balance between conservation and human needs.
The MLC urged the state govt to review the existing ESZ notification and revise its boundaries to match or unify with the buffer zone. This move, he believes, will support sustainable development while protecting the region's rich biodiversity.
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