The Union government has announced that the public has 60 days to submit objections or suggestions regarding the draft notification for an integrated eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Gir protected area. The timeline will begin once the gazette copies are made available to the public.

In reply to a question from Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani, the Union government said in a written reply, “The very purpose of declaring Eco-sensitive Zone is to create some kind of “Shock Absorber” for the specialized ecosystems, such as Protected Areas or other natural sites, to act as transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.”

“Notifying Eco-sensitive Zones/Areas around the Protected Areas is important for management and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity around Protected Areas and sustainable development. To assist the State Governments/Union Territory administrations in formulating Eco-Sensitive zones around protected areas, the Ministry has issued “Guidelines for declaration of Eco-Sensitive zones around Protected Areas” on 9^th February, 2011 and shared with the State Governments/Union Territory administrations. So far, the Ministry has published 347 final Eco-sensitive Zone notifications covering 488 Protected Areas of the country.”

“The Ministry has issued a draft notification dated 18^th September 2024 to declare an integrated Eco-sensitive Zone around the Gir Protected Area in Gujarat based on the proposal received from the State Government. This integrated draft notification encompasses four Protected Areas viz. Gir National Park, Gir, Mitiyala and Paniya Wildlife Sanctuaries. The proposed ESZ extends from 2.78 km to 9.50 km and covers an area of 2,061.77 sq. km. The proposed Eco-sensitive Zone includes riverine habitats and critical wildlife corridors essential for the movement of Asiatic Lions across the Gir landscape.”

“The draft notification to declare Eco-sensitive Zone around the Gir Protected Area has been issued under sub-rule (3) of Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, for the information of the public likely to be affected thereby. The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 prescribes for a period of 60 days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public for furnishing objections/suggestions on the draft notification which are duly considered before finalizing draft notification.” DeshGujarat