(a) whether a number of proposals from the State Government of Maharashtra for the purpose of declaring wildlife sanctuaries as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are pending with the Union Government for approval/notification;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the status of the said proposals; and
(c) the time by which the said proposals are likely to be approved?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 353 DUE FOR REPLY ON 19.03.2021 REGARDING “ECO- SENSITIVE ZONES” RAISED BY SHRI SANJAY JADHAV AND SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE.
(a) and (b) There are 54 (fifty-four) Protected Areas(PAs) in the State of Maharashtra. Out of fifty-four (54) Protected Areas:
(1) Final Eco-Sensitive Zone notifications published for 41 (forty-one) Protected Areas.
(2) Draft Eco-Sensitive Zone notifications published for 4(four) Protected Areas.
(i) Bor Tiger Reserve comprising of 3(three) Protected Areas namely Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, New Bor Wildlife Sanctuary and Extended New Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, issued on 05.02.2021, pending for public comments as time period of 60 days is not over.
(ii) One (1) Protected Area namely Karanja Sohol Wildlife Sanctuary has been recommended by the Expert Committee on ESZ. State has provided requisite information on 4th March, 2021. Process is on for seeking approval for finalisation of the notification.
(3) Proposal for 3 (three) Protected Areas for draft notification is being processed in the Ministry.
(4) Proposals for 6 (six) Protected Areas awaited from the Government of Maharashtra.
(c) Decision on pending proposals for four (4) Protected Areas [one (1) for final notification and three (3) for draft notification] would be taken as quickly as possible.
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