Kerala desires 303 sq km of human habitations faraway from ESZs

Express News Service
KOCHI: Amid the rising protest in opposition to declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones round forest areas, the state authorities has submitted a revised proposal to take away 303.22 sq km of human habitations from the notified areas. Though the Centre has issued notifications declaring buffer zones round 24 sanctuaries, all notifications will likely be revised and steps have been taken to make sure that the zone declaration doesn’t have an effect on the folks residing on forest fringes, the workplace of Forest Minister Ok Raju knowledgeable TNIE.

The ESZ of Idukki sanctuary has been decreased by 68 sq km, whereas that of Neyyar and Peppara sanctuaries have been decreased by 18.92 sq km. The buffer zone of Thattekad chook sanctuary has been decreased from 28.4 sq km to 16 sq km, whereas the ESZ of Peechi-Vazhani sanctuary has been decreased from 131.54 sq km to 54.9 sq km. The eco zone of Parambikulam has been decreased by 66.78 sq km whereas that of Wayanad by 30.38 sq km, the minister’s workplace stated.

While the state had submitted proposals in 2013 to declare as much as 12km space from forest boundary as Eco Sensitive Zones, the current authorities has proposed to cut back the zone to 1km. But because the Centre issued the notification, it was discovered that some human settlements have been included within the buffer zones. 

Considering the complaints of the individuals who stay in these zones, the minister convened a gathering on September 28, 2020 which determined to redraw the boundaries and submit new maps excluding human habitations.

The proposals for 22 ESZs excluding Mangalavanam in Ernakulam and Karimpuzha in Malappuram district have been submitted and the notifications will likely be revised, the minister’s workplace stated.The revised proposal for Thattekad, Aralam and Idukki sanctuaries was rejected by the  knowledgeable committee of Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) on January 18.

Another revised proposal will likely be submitted quickly. Care has been taken to make sure minimal hardship to farmers residing on forest fringes. But the federal government can’t reject the notification fully as it would result in declaration of areas extending as much as 10km from forest boundary as ESZs by default, the minister’s workplace stated.