Govt marks eco-sensitive zone in Mukundra reserve
JAIPUR: Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) became the first tiger reserve in the state to get a designated eco-sensitive zone. Industrial activities such as mining, mega hydroelectric projects or brick kiln work would be prohibited in the 1km zone.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has issued the notification declaring the eco-sensitive zone for MHTR, spread over 759.99sq km covering four districts of Kota, Bundi, Chhittorgarh and Jhalawar. The area of the zone has been determined as 0-1 km from the forest border. The total area will be 248.70 sq km, including 75 villages, states the notification.
“It is necessary to conserve and protect the area, the extent and boundaries of Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve and to prohibit industrial operations and processes in the said eco-sensitive zone,” the notification states.
The state government will prepare a zonal master plan within a period of two years in consultation with local people and adhering to the stipulations given in this notification. The plan will provide for restoration of denuded areas, conservation of existing water bodies, management of catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater management, soil, and moisture conservation, need of local community and such other aspects of the ecology.
Notification keeps commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units; setting of industries causing pollution (water, air, soil, noise); major hydroelectric project; use or production or processing of any hazardous substances; discharge of untreated effluents in natural water bodies or land area; setting up of new saw mills; setting up of brick kilns; and commercial use of firewood under prohibited activities. Activities such as hotels and resorts; construction activities; felling of tress; widening of roads; eco- tourism are kept under regulated category.
For effective monitoring of the provisions made in the notification, the Central government has constituted a 12-member monitoring committee with district collector as its chairman, and deputy conservator of forest MHTR as its member-secretary.
The MHTR was established in 2013, which includes area of Mukundra Hills National park, Dara sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary and part of national Chambal Ghariyal sanctuary – this constitutes of core area of MHTR.