Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone Proposal Proposed
Source:corpseed ↗
Why It Matters
Important for RPSC RAS aspirants tracking environmental conservation updates, wildlife sanctuaries, and geographical distribution of protected areas across Rajasthan districts.
Summary
The article discusses the proposal to establish an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. Located across the Aravalli Range in Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali districts, the sanctuary faces ecological pressures. The ESZ notification under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, aims to regulate commercial and industrial activities around the protected area to safeguard its fragile ecosystem and wildlife corridor.
Key Points
- A proposal has been put forward to notify an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan to regulate developmental activities and protect its unique biodiversity.
- Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary spans across Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali districts, serving as a critical habitat for leopards, wolves, sloth bears, and various flora of the Aravalli Range.
- Eco-Sensitive Zones are designated areas within 10 km around protected areas under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to act as a shock absorber and minimize negative anthropogenic impacts.
- The proposal aims to balance wildlife conservation with sustainable regional development, restricting commercial mining, polluting industries, and large construction projects within the ESZ boundaries.
Important Terms
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
An umbrella legislation enacted in 1986 that empowers the Central Government to protect and improve environmental quality, control pollution, and notify Eco-Sensitive Zones around protected areas.
UPSC context
Important for RPSC Paper II (Environmental Law and Governance); tests knowledge of statutory frameworks for conservation.
Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)
Buffer zones notified around protected areas under the EP Act to regulate commercial, industrial, and developmental activities to protect fragile ecosystems from anthropogenic pressures.
UPSC context
Important for RPSC Geography and Environment topics; tests knowledge of wildlife conservation and protected area management in Rajasthan.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
A major wildlife sanctuary located across the Aravalli Range in Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali districts, known for its rich biodiversity and historical significance.
UPSC context
Crucial for RPSC Geography of Rajasthan; tests knowledge of sanctuary locations, districts, and regional biodiversity.
Static Concepts Connected
What are Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and under which statutory provision are they notified in India?
- Legal Basis: Statuory backing: Notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Ecological Role: Buffer role: Act as shock absorbers around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries to transition from highly protected to lesser protected areas.
- Activity Control: Prohibited/Regulated: Commercial mining, saw mills, polluting industries, and large-scale commercial construction are heavily restricted or banned.
Cross-Topic Patterns
ESZ Regulations + Aravalli Mining Bans
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary ESZ proposals intersect land revenue laws and mining bans in the Aravallis, a favorite RPSC theme combining geography with environmental jurisprudence.
Expect a multi-statement RPSC question combining ESZ statutory backing (EP Act 1986), districts spanned, and associated heritage sites.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following pairings is incorrect? Wildlife Sanctuary – District
- 2024RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Select the most correct statement regarding the Rajasthan State Biological Park (Phase-II): A. It covers 9 districts and is an initiative of the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Authority (RSBA). B. Achada, Merta and Machala Biological Park have been included in phase-II. C. In phase-II, Bio-Diversity Council, Water Conservation has also been incorporated in its list.
