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Centre Declares Eco Sensitive Zone Around Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary

Source:theclimatewatch ↗

Why It Matters

Important for RPSC RAS aspirants tracking environmental governance, protected areas, and wildlife geography in Rajasthan.

Summary

An Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) has been officially declared around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Located in the Aravalli Range, Kumbhalgarh is an important wildlife habitat and watershed. The ESZ notification aims to regulate commercial and industrial activities around the sanctuary boundary to safeguard its fragile ecosystem and wildlife corridors.

Key Points

  • India has declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan to regulate developmental activities and protect local biodiversity.
  • Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Aravalli Hills, spanning across districts like Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali.
  • The ESZ notification aims to serve as a shock absorber around protected areas, restricting commercial mining, polluting industries, and large-scale construction while permitting sustainable local livelihood activities.
  • The move is crucial for preserving regional flora, fauna (including leopards, wolves, and sloth bears), and the crucial watershed of the Aravalli range.

Important Terms

Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)

Buffer zones established around protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries under the Environment Protection Act to regulate human and industrial activities and protect fragile ecosystems.

UPSC context

Important for RPSC Paper III (Geography and Environment of Rajasthan) and General Studies, testing knowledge of protected areas and biodiversity conservation.

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Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

India's umbrella legislation enacted in 1986 under Article 253 to protect and improve environmental quality, control pollution, and regulate hazardous activities across the country.

UPSC context

Crucial for RPSC Indian Polity and Environment sections, testing legal frameworks for environmental governance and statutory notifications.

Source
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

The central nodal ministry in India responsible for planning, promoting, and overseeing the implementation of environmental, forestry, and wildlife policies and conservation programs.

UPSC context

Asked in RPSC administrative structure and policy questions, examining governance bodies involved in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

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National Board for Wildlife

A statutory apex advisory body established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, chaired by the Prime Minister, to review and approve wildlife conservation policies and protected area modifications.

UPSC context

Relevant for RPSC environmental governance and wildlife protection laws, testing the role of apex statutory bodies in biodiversity management.

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Prelims Trap

Eco-Sensitive Zones are declared under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Aspirants often assume Eco-Sensitive Zones are notified under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, whereas they are statutory notifications under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Static Concepts Connected

Rajasthan Geography & Environment Conservation

What are Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and under which statute are they notified in India?

  • Legal Basis: Statutory backing under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the MoEFCC.
  • Primary Objective: Acts as a shock absorber by regulating heavy industries, commercial mining, and large constructions around protected areas.
  • Activity Regulation: Prohibits activities like sawmills, commercial use of firewood, and polluting industries while permitting ongoing agriculture and organic farming.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Aravalli Ecosystem Protection & Mining Regulation

    Kumbhalgarh's location in the Aravalli range links biodiversity conservation directly with state-wide legal mining bans and desertification control efforts.

  • Environment Protection Act & Judicial Mandates

    ESZ notifications under the EPA 1986 frequently intersect with Supreme Court mandates regarding mandatory protected areas around national parks.

RPSC often frames statement-based questions on district coverage, statutory backing (EPA 1986), and permitted/prohibited activities in ESZs.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The National Tiger Conservation Authority has conferred the status of the fifth tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan, to which of the following sanctuaries?

  • 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following pairings is incorrect? Wildlife Sanctuary – District