New Delhi: In a recent update, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has shed light on the regulatory landscape surrounding projects and activities in Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around Protected Areas. According to an Office Memorandum dated May 17, 2022, projects falling within notified ESZs will be subject to regulation as per the respective ESZ notifications.
The notification outlines that if the projects or activities are covered under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended, they will require prior environmental clearance. This clearance is to be obtained in accordance with the provisions of the EIA Notification. In cases where the ESZ is either not notified or is in the draft stage, projects within the default ESZ—within 10 km of the boundaries of protected areas, including National Parks and Sanctuaries—will necessitate prior environmental clearance. These projects will be subject to consideration by the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) or the Standing Committee for National Board of Wildlife (SCNBWL). The approval for such projects is granted after due consideration by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), constituted by the Ministry.
According to information provided by the Ministry, in the last five years, a total of 53 proposals were received, out of which 43 were granted Environmental Clearance (EC) in the default Eco-Sensitive Zones. These clearances were in accordance with the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006, as amended.
Furthermore, during the same period, the Standing Committee of the NBWL recommended a total of 689 proposals. This data was disclosed by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, in a written reply presented in the Rajya Sabha today.
This disclosure provides insights into the evolving regulatory framework governing projects in Eco-Sensitive Zones, emphasizing the importance of environmental clearances to balance development and conservation efforts in these ecologically significant areas.