APSC JE PWRD 2025: ESZ Notification for Sariska Sanctuary

Why in the NEWS?

The notification of Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) will be issued by June 30, 2025.

Key Points:

The process has been initiated as per the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
Rajasthan Forest Department has started the work of rationalizing CTH in the state.

Adjustment of CTH boundaries:

The designated CTH of STR is spread over 881.11 sq km, which is more than 492 sq km of Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.
The fragmented structure of the existing CTH has posed legal and management challenges.
The rationalisation process will ensure that the total area of the CTH is not reduced while increasing the boundary of the wildlife sanctuary.
The revised boundaries will be aligned with the core and critical habitat of the STR.

The initial deadline was September 30, 2024, which has now been extended to June 30, 2025.
The state government has requested the Supreme Court for a deadline extension so that full compliance of the CEC recommendations can be achieved.
An expert committee has been constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which is conducting a scientific study in this regard.
The ESZ notification will be issued after rationalisation of CTH and is expected before December 31, 2025.

These are buffer zones around specially protected areas (such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries).

Environmental protection: To maintain ecological balance around protected areas.
Creation of buffer zone: A buffer zone is created to prevent direct impact of human activities in the core area of sanctuaries and national parks.
Balance between development and conservation: Biodiversity is protected by restricting or controlling development work under ESZ.

Legal basis:

ESZ notification is issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Supreme Court has recommended declaring an area up to 10 km as ESZ, but it can be more or less according to the geographical conditions of the area.