(a) Whether the Government is working on a project to augment the reserved Eco-Sensitive Zones and to reduce human activities in the said zones;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the project being proposed by the Government to ban the use of plastic products in these zones?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a & b) Delineation of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) around Protected Areas (PAs) is needed toensure their biological integrity. As a transition zone between areas of high protection to less protection, the ESZ act as a “buffer” for the PAs. In pursuance to the decision taken by National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) framed “Guidelines for Declaration of ESZ around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries”. PA-specific Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)are declared by Notification under section 3 (v) of the Environment (Protection) Act and Rule 5 Sub rule (viii) & (x) of the Environment (Protection) Rules.Restrictions are imposed on certain identified activities which may have adverse impact on the wildlife such as commercial mining,setting up of industries causing pollution, establishment of major hydroelectric projects, use/production/processing of hazardous substances, discharge of untreated effluent in natural water bodies/land area etc. Activities like construction, establishment of civic amenities and commercial extraction of surface and ground water are regulated,while the activities which are eco-friendly in nature are promoted in theEco-Sensitive Zones.
(c)Use of polythene bags within Eco-Sensitive Zones is a regulated activity. The disposal of plastic waste shall be carried out as per the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Further, directions have also been issued by the Ministry to State Governments to submit the action plan to declare the Biosphere Reserves as plastic free Zones.
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