Government Reassesses Eco-Sensitive Zone Rules for State-Centric Implementation
The Indian government is re-evaluating Eco-Sensitive Zone regulations to enable more state-level implementation while balancing conservation and development.
NewsSutra
In a pivotal move reflecting the growing tension between environmental preservation and developmental priorities, the Government of India is re-evaluating the framework governing Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) across the country. This review, being conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), aims to tailor environmental regulations for more effective implementation at the state and regional levels, while ensuring biodiversity protection around India’s fragile ecosystems.
The reassessment comes after repeated concerns from state governments, environmentalists, and infrastructure developers about the rigidity of current ESZ norms, particularly those issued by the Supreme Court in 2022 mandating a 1-km buffer zone around all protected forests and national parks.
What Are Eco-Sensitive Zones?
Eco-Sensitive Zones, commonly referred to as ecological buffer areas, are regions notified around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves to restrict industrial and certain developmental activities that could endanger the ecological balance.
According to MoEFCC guidelines, ESZs are intended to:
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Act as transition zones from areas of high protection to areas of lower protection.
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Minimize negative environmental impacts from nearby human activities.
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Conserve flora, fauna, and ecological integrity of protected areas.
The current framework categorically restricts or regulates activities such as mining, construction of large buildings, industries, and certain agricultural practices in and around these zones.
For more details on ESZ guidelines, refer to MoEFCC’s official ESZ guidelines.
Why Is the Government Reassessing the ESZ Norms?
The ESZ framework, though rooted in conservation, has drawn criticism from state governments and rural communities, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, and the North-Eastern states, where a vast portion of land is forested or mountainous.
Key reasons for the review include:
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Lack of uniformity: States argue that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t consider local topography or livelihood patterns.
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Legal ambiguity: Conflicting court rulings and unclear land classifications have led to litigation bottlenecks and halted projects.
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Development delays: Infrastructure and tourism projects in hill states have faced delays due to ESZ restrictions, impacting local economies.
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Public protests: In areas like Wayanad (Kerala) and Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), local populations have staged protests fearing displacement and loss of land rights due to stringent enforcement.
The Union Environment Minister stated earlier this month:
“We are committed to conserving India’s rich biodiversity, but also recognize the unique needs of different regions. Our goal is to develop a balanced, consultative, and implementable model for ESZ regulation.”
The Role of States in the Review
This latest initiative emphasizes greater decentralization by proposing state-specific ESZ implementation plans, allowing each state to define, regulate, and monitor buffer zones in accordance with local geography, ecology, and livelihood concerns.
State Environment Departments are currently submitting feedback to the MoEFCC on:
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Proposed zone boundaries and size reduction in certain areas.
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Reclassification of land use maps and forest boundaries.
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Inclusion of village development plans within revised ESZ frameworks.
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Redefining the permitted and prohibited activities based on region-specific needs.
States like Karnataka and Uttarakhand are leading the conversation, suggesting models where community-managed eco-zones could replace blanket regulations.
For state-wise ESZ notifications, the MoEFCC ESZ database offers a complete list of protected areas and respective zone details.
The Supreme Court’s 2022 Mandate and Its Impact
In June 2022, the Supreme Court of India passed a landmark order mandating a minimum one-kilometre Eco-Sensitive Zone around all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The order intended to prevent encroachment and unregulated development around protected areas.
However, the decision sparked criticism and logistical challenges:
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More than 30,000 villages fell within these newly defined zones, especially in tribal and forested regions.
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Local governance bodies argued the order was unrealistic and ignored ground realities.
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Several states filed modification petitions, citing lack of prior consultation.
Following this backlash, in April 2023, the Supreme Court clarified that the one-km rule would not apply uniformly and states could submit scientific assessments to determine their own ESZs.
This legal retraction has paved the way for the current nationwide review of the regulations.
Environmentalists Caution Against Dilution
While many hail the review as a move toward practical governance, leading environmental conservation groups have sounded alarms over the potential dilution of protections. They fear the new state-centric approach may open the door for unchecked development, especially in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats, Sundarbans, and Northeast India.
A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) noted:
“Without stringent national standards, we risk losing invaluable ecological assets in the name of convenience and development.”
The group recommends that state flexibility be paired with independent ecological audits, community-based conservation models, and transparency in land reclassification.
Learn more about the CSE’s advocacy for protected areas at cseindia.org.
Potential Solutions on the Table
As discussions evolve, several key reforms are reportedly under consideration:
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Differentiated Buffer Zones: Replacing the uniform 1-km rule with science-based zoning, potentially ranging from 100m to 1.5 km depending on the terrain and species.
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Digital Land Mapping: Using GIS and satellite tools for real-time delineation of ESZ boundaries, reducing legal conflicts.
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Community Participation: Encouraging Gram Sabha and Panchayat involvement in ESZ planning and enforcement.
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Incentive Schemes: Offering eco-tourism grants, green farming subsidies, and habitat maintenance incentives to locals in ESZs.
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Dedicated ESZ Regulatory Body: Establishing a State ESZ Authority to ensure accountability and ongoing environmental monitoring.
Balancing Development and Ecology
The ESZ policy debate highlights the ongoing dilemma in India’s environmental governance: how to strike a balance between rapid economic development and the preservation of natural ecosystems.
India is home to over 100 national parks, 500+ wildlife sanctuaries, and millions of forest-dwelling citizens. The future of its environmental policy will require collaboration between the Centre, states, judiciary, civil society, and scientific bodies.
As the MoEFCC gears up to announce a draft revision policy in the coming months, stakeholders across sectors are watching closely. The hope is to develop a regulatory framework that is both scientifically sound and socially sustainable.
Final Thoughts
The government’s move to re-evaluate Eco-Sensitive Zone regulations is both timely and necessary. With climate change, habitat loss, and urban expansion becoming existential threats, India must recalibrate its conservation strategy without compromising economic momentum.
Yet, the true test lies in execution—how well state-specific guidelines are implemented, enforced, and respected at the ground level. Whether the revised ESZ policy becomes a model of progressive environmental federalism or a cautionary tale of over-decentralization depends largely on the will and integrity of institutions involved.
