Latest news with #Eco-SensitiveZone
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve faces ESZ-buffer zone discrepancy, MLC urges revision
Nagpur: BJP MLC Parinay Fuke has requested state forest minister Ganesh Naik to revise the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) boundary at Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), claiming that it is hampering infrastructure and village development work in Gondia and Bhandara. 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.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Complete demarcation of Nahargarh sanctuary: NGT
1 2 Jaipur: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the state govt to finalise demarcation and digitisation of land in Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) amid growing concerns over illegal constructions, encroachments and disputes regarding land rights. The matter pertains to the land of VanKhand Amer-54, which was notified as part of the sanctuary through govt notifications issued in 1961 and 1980. The NGT's Central Zone Bench in Bhopal, comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad, heard the case between Kamal Tiwari and the Union of India & others via video conferencing on May 27. The tribunal was informed of several serious issues, including the absence of clear demarcation, unauthorised constructions and failure to mutate the land in favour of the forest department. "Disputes also arose between individuals claiming rights over the land and authorities seeking to remove illegal structures from the forest area," the order states. The tribunal was apprised of the urgent need to prepare a digital map based on original forest notifications, land records, and khasra-scale mapping. "The process involves assessing the current status of notified forest land, revenue land, and other categories through physical verification and village-wise justification," said a senior forest official. The tribunal also took note of recent directions from Supreme Court in a related matter, wherein all States and Union Territories were instructed to prepare a consolidated record of forest land—including forest-like areas identified by expert committees—within one year. The Supreme Court further directed the Union of India to issue necessary circulars for compliance and digitization of forest land. In compliance with these directions, Rajasthan's principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden convened a high-level meeting. A committee of more than nine members was formed to undertake the demarcation exercise. "A preliminary report was submitted and is currently under verification by wildlife department. The matter will now be heard on Sept 8, 2025," said an official.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
NGT asks authorities to submit report on visitors' policy ahead of fireflies festival
Ahead of the fireflies' festival to be held between May 17 to June 22, at various locations in Maharashtra, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) instructed the Maharashtra Forest Department and tourism departments to submit a report on the visitor policy for this festival. Ganesh Borhade, a resident of Nashik who is active in wildlife conservation in this area, has recently submitted an application, stating that due to the fireflies festival being held at Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary, the protected area faces significant ecological disturbances due to unregulated tourism during the festival, such as artificial lighting from flashlights, mobile phones, and vehicle headlights, which disrupt the fireflies' natural mating behaviour, leading to a decline in their population. The application further mentioned that the activity is being conducted under eco-tourism and ought to have been governed as per the 'Eco-Tourism Master Plan'. Various private operators are permitted by the Forest Department to establish tents and camping facilities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary. A set of guidelines was issued by the Range Forest Officer (RFO), Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary and Maharashtra Forest Department in May 2024, which was inadequate for the protection of Fireflies. Hence, the tribunal is requested to frame detailed guidelines for the protection and conservation of fireflies. Considering the seriousness of the situation, the NGT on April 17 issued an order directing the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Directorate of Tourism to submit their reply affidavits within four weeks. Speaking about the development, Borhade said, 'This particular application was made with regards to Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary, however, there is a mention of other forest areas as well, where such festivals are being held. Hence, it is applicable to all those places. Currently, the guidelines for such festivals are made at the local level by the Range Forest Officers.'
