Buffer Zone Transition to Eco Sensitive Zone

 Eco-Sensitive Zone or Ecologically Fragile Areas - EFAs

This new concept is being developed, implemented, and regulated by MOEF in India.  I believe the eco-development committee with public participation will play a vital role in the management of our ring or the buffer zone of National Parks, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries ((WLS) all notified as such but deemed to be considered as Protected Areas.   

Practically renaming the buffer zone as an eco-sensitive zone has very few consequences for the resident public mostly tribal farmers. But this whole exercise would not have been considered without some changes being brought about.  

Farming as usual by the locals will continue outside the limits of reserve forests. The certain industry will be banned as they are already banned but the notification would mean more will fall under the purview.  

The declaration is under the purview of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 in which sub-section 3 (2) (v) empowers the Central Government to manage or notify certain commercial activities in such zones as banned or permissible or to be regulated.  The effort is to provide greater protection and a smooth transition to outer areas which do not face such restrictions.  

Biodiversity, biotic and abiotic pressures, environmentally friendly land use limits, pollutants, and other factors have to be considered whence framing guidelines in these areas which are specific to each Protected Area.  The criteria would be nearly the same as that in declaring a No Development Zone by the Government of India.

The guidelines, restrictions, etc may be reviewed by the Central Government whenever it decides. The ESZ could be notified keeping ecological sensitivity into account based on species rarity,  ecosystem-based, and also based Geo Morphological Features.  

This strategy was formulated in a 2002 meeting of the National Board for Wildlife  India. The area designated was ten kilometers in the periphery of the core or in the case of tiger reserves the critical tiger habitat.            

Albeit this concept stands as highly important for conservation and the environment in India there are many problems faced by the PAs in different states which are creating hesitancy. The outer rings around many PAs are ill-defined due to the prevalence of a high population density, heavy industries, and even major urban settlements. All this will certainly create a state of conflict and make implementation difficult. In around such PAs the die has already been cast. Uprooting established activities would hamper development as many State bodies say.  

We are certainly at crossroads either we give two hoots to wildlife conservation and protection or face upheaval in order to rectify all anomalies made in the past whence the concept of proper land use pattern was not a consideration.  

Besides sustaining the sink populations due to active breeding since conservation initiatives were implemented these are vital wildlife corridors for migrant species in India. Migration is important for cross-breeding and thus the transfer of genes from one distant area to another. If this is not allowed to happen inbreeding will lead to near extinction possibly hampering all conservation initiatives in the country. Though the need for creating viable corridors is without any doubt, the implementation of political dispensations is difficult as a large number of human settlement translocations would be required. 

This is being penned for amateur enthusiasts interested in conservation. In the past few centuries, humans have encroached upon sensitive ecosystems and destroyed them. Those remaining or are partially viable are the subject of this policy. Many species find coexistence in close vicinity with humans impossible and furthered by indiscriminate land use mostly for agriculture the sensitive species lose ground quickly. This tragedy has occurred in our country extensively.  Swamp deer is a tangent example of this duress imposed by humans in India.

For greater clarity read the article of Wikipedia EFAs          

Further Read: Our Urban Footprints         

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Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, environmental issues.

He also provides SEO and Website Contents in English. He teaches Digital Marketing in Jabalpur in Summers.

He can be contacted at:

Mail: pateluday90@hotmail.com
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Save the tiger & leopard

From over one hundred thousand tigers in 18th century the population has plummeted down to a mere 1500 plus animals. This is also an indication of large scale transition of the natural land in India to agriculture and expanding human civilization. The land area has been overtaken by rural and urban societies for habitation, agrarian and industrial activities. The biggest decline was due to habitat loss and not the Royal hunting sprees.

Large scale destruction of natural land - the vital ecosystems - has reduced greatly, space for other life forms.   The grasslands and forests have suffered a major brunt due to human expansion. A small percent of total area has been left for other life forms, and even within that area tussle has been going on to deliver it to humans. This right and that right! Alternative solutions are seemed as too tardy.

Our constitution rightly points out:

Of the People
By the People
For the people

Literarily meaning for some - everything for the people, but other forms of life are a consideration in India as well. It was under Shrimati Indira Gandhi that a strong initiative was taken to stem the rot.  And it worked, the Wildlife Protection Act, Project Tiger all were the right measures. By her personal interest and involvement a strong message was sent to the marauders, - enough is enough.  A light was dimmed in infancy; there was great hope from Sh. Rajiv Gandhi. (The author is quoting factual observations and nothing else). Lot of conservationist will agree with my assessment.

The Project Tiger slithered down as Panna and Sariska fiasco stand testimony. Unable to visualize new threats the administration was unable to track the poachers and their heinous deeds. Was contribution there from corrupt practices/lethargy for the local extinction? Ask Anna?

Enthusiasm has died down completely. Much ignored the leopard in India is dyeing a silent death like many others who have inherited the Earth besides us. Media savvy people realize this. Even now conservation measures are implemented but they should wider in perspective.    Half hearted approach does not augur well; the country has more resources at hand   than earlier.

In keeping with the spirit of the Vedic scriptures and let live policy, a large number of protected areas were created.  These have provided succor to one and all forms, and act as respirators for our clogged lungs. She step her foot down to prevent any intrusion into the silent valley and many other ecosystems. She left a strong legacy behind, unfortunately barring few it was never followed from strength to strength. A section obsessed with development can go reckless and maneuver over all constraint in order achieve the objective - eco- friendly or not.          

There still exist a voice of sanity; people dedicated to conservation, many concerned administrators/politicians and NGOs. The number is growing every day, an effort to salvage whatever can be. Research helps, but in order to survive the tiger/leopard urgently need solutions that mitigate man animal conflicts, prevent intrusion in natural lands, poaching, wood logging and more.These animals are vital to forest ecosystems and environment as whole.  

Unfortunately all solutions are visualized through human angle. Sometimes the middle path does not work and as very little is left now. Those at helm should resort to strong conservation measures and not dilly dally.  Justice and proper compensation to those relocated, penal action against those involved in wildlife crimes and keeping industry to lost denuded lands far away are the right steps. 

Involvement of people who can voice for the voiceless is the need of the hour. The big cats are not just for tiger safaris or photo shoots though this helps. People should contribute in whatever way they can? Raise awareness, act as voice for the voiceless perhaps.