‘Master plan’ for eco-sensitive zones in J’khand on the cards

The state forest department has initiated steps to draft zonal master plans for the nine declared eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) in Jharkhand in consultation of different departments to protect and preserve flora and fauna of Jharkhand, officials said on Tuesday.

ESZs are ecologically important areas designated to be protected from industrial pollution and unregulated development under Environment Protection Act of 1986. All forms of infrastructure projects of commercial or public purpose, including mining, industries and hydropower projects, are prohibited within such zones, according to the guidelines of the Union environment ministry.

Principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) PK Verma said the zonal master plan would help in better management and proper execution of forest management plans in such areas.

“Forest department will not be the sole stakeholder in the proposed master plan. Almost all departments of the state would be stakeholders. The plan would be drafted in consultation with them, keeping in mind all Acts and Rules related to ESZs,” Verma said.

The objective of the master plan for ESZs is to reduce pressure in protected forests and improve habitat for animals, mainly endangered species.

Jharkhand houses 11 wildlife sanctuaries and one national park, all of which come under the nine declared ESZs in the state.

Jharkhand’s Dalma wildlife sanctuary was the first to be declared an ESZ by the Centre in 2012. The ten others are Palamu tiger reserve (Latehar), Hazaribagh wildlife sanctuary (Hazaribagh), Mahuadanr wolf sanctuary (Latehar), Topchanchi wildlife sanctuary (Dhanbad),

Lawalong wildlife sanctuary (Chatra), Koderma wildlife sanctuary (Koderma), Parasnath wildlife sanctuary (Giridih), Palkot wildlife sanctuary (Gumla), Udhwa Lake birds’ sanctuary (Sahebgunj) and Gautam Buddha wildlife sanctuary (Koderma).

Verma said, “The zonal master plan will be readied in the next two years. Thereafter, it will be implemented.”

The proposed plan would be drafted keeping in mind three kinds of activities--prohibited, regulated and permitted--in and around ESZs in a bid to reduce pressure on forests.

Commercial and stone mining, pollution triggering activities and residential works are prohibited in ESZs, while nonpolluting small scale industries, agriculture and fisheries are permitted. Natural water sources, waterfalls, caves and forest corridors are needed to be identified and protected in an ESZ, officials said.