In a development sparking heightened environmental concerns, the Centre has granted approvals for 43 projects within eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) over the past five years, according to information disclosed by Minister of State for Environment, Ashwini Kumar Choubey. The revelation comes in response to queries raised by Trinamool Congress MP Jawhar Sircar, shedding light on a delicate balance between development and ecological preservation.
Eco-sensitive zones, defined as areas within a 10-kilometer radius of protected areas, saw a total of 53 project proposals submitted to the Centre. Of these, 43 received the green light, prompting discussions about the potential impact on wildlife habitats and environmental stability.
During the same period, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) granted permission for 689 project proposals within protected areas. Notably, 231 approvals were accorded in the last year alone, raising questions about the pace and scale of developmental projects within ecologically sensitive regions.
Minister Choubey clarified the regulatory framework governing such initiatives. Projects falling under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, require prior environmental clearance. Proposals are subjected to scrutiny by the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) or the Standing Committee for National Board of Wildlife (SCNBWL), with approvals contingent upon review by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
Environmental experts stress the urgency of exploring alternative approaches to projects that disrupt wildlife habitats and migration corridors. With just over 5% of the land designated as Wildlife Protected Areas, concerns arise about the potential threat to species residing outside these demarcated zones. Debadityo Sinha, lead for climate and ecosystems at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, emphasizes the critical need to protect and preserve natural habitats and migration routes for the survival of diverse species.
The disclosure of these project approvals renews calls for a more robust and comprehensive environmental assessment framework. It underscores the necessity for a balanced approach that carefully considers the environmental impact while addressing the developmental needs of the nation.
