What are Eco-Sensitive Zones?

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change's National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) mandates that land within 10 kilometres of the borders of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries be designated as eco-fragile zones or eco-sensitive zones (ESZ).

Although the 10-km rule is applied as a general guideline, its exact scope can vary. If they contain bigger ecologically significant "sensitive corridors," the Union authorities may additionally declare areas farther than 10 km as ESZs.

According to the guidelines published by the Environment Ministry on February 9, 2011, ESZs are made to operate as "shock absorbers" for protected areas in order to lessen the detrimental effects that some surrounding human activities may have on the "fragile ecosystems." These regions also serve as a transition between those places that need more protection and those that need less protection.

The guidelines also declare that the ESZs are not intended to interfere with nearby residents' daily lives but rather to protect protected places and "refine the environment around them."

To do this, in addition to regulated activities like tree felling, the guidelines include activities that are forbidden in an ESZ, including commercial mining, sawmills, commercial wood use, etc. Finally, there are activities that are approved, like continued horticultural or agricultural techniques, harvesting rainwater, and organic farming, among others.