On 18 September 2024, a draft notification was published by the MoEFCC ( The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) declaring 2,061 sq. kilometers of the area around the Gir forest as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). This initiative started to preserve the environmental resources near the wildlife sanctuary. Let’s get a brief information about this update.
Highlights:
- The Act of Environment Protection 1986 provides the basis for including an area of 10 km around a wildlife sanctuary as an eco-sentive zone.
- In January 2002, the concept of building an eco-sensitive zone emerged during the XXI meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife.
- National Environment Policy 2006 laid down guidelines to protect the area around the tiger reserves by creating an eco-sensitive zone outside them.
- The first draft of setting up an eco sensitive zone Gir National Park within 3,328 km was publicly announced on October 25, 2015. It was covering a buffer zone of 17.9 km.
- After the first draft, people were allowed to give objections or suggestions within 60 days. With local protests, the size of the area was reduced to 2,061 sq km and now this eco sensitive zone Gir National Park covers the boundary from 2.78 km to 9.50 km.
Eco-Sensitive Zone of Gir National Park
- The eco sensitive zone Gir National Park will cover 4 protected areas; Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary.
- A total number of 196 villages and 17 rivers of 3 districts will be included in the buffer zone of Gir National Park.
- The three districts are Gir Somanath, Junagadh, and Amreli district.
- A total of 59 villages from Junagadh, Malia Hatina, Visavadar, and Mendarda talukas in Junagadh district.
- 72 villages from Khambha, Savarkundla, and Dhari in Amreli district.
- 65 villages from Una, Gir-Somnath, Talala talukas, and Kodinar in Gir-Somnath district.
- Eco sensitive zone Gir National Park will include 240 sq km of forest area and 1.59 sq. km of non-forest area.
Objective:
- In the early 1990s, the Asiatic lions were seen outside the forest boundaries and there are recorded incidents where they attached to humans living around the forest.
- The need to create an eco sensitive zone Gir National Park is to safeguard the endangered animals, wildlife, their natural habitats, and the natural environment around this park.
- This eco-sensitive zone will reduce human interaction and other commercial activities such as mining, and others caused for pollution, more things which can disrupt the ecosystem.
Protests and Revisions:
- The initial 2015 draft proposing a 17.9 km eco-sensitive zone encompassing 291 villages faced strong opposition from locals and political parties, citing economic and livelihood concerns.
- Following protests, the government reduced the eco-sensitive zone range to 500 meters, but the issue reached the Gujarat High Court in 2017.
- In 2023, according to Supreme Court guidelines, the eco-sensitive zone should be around 10 kilometers in radius based on Act of Environment Protection 1986.
- With the final draft publication on 18 Sept 2024, the eco sensitive zone of Gir National Park is decided to be from 2.78 km to 9.50 km which will cover 2,06,100 hectare area.
The Essential Information About the Gir National Park
Here, we have mentioned some crucial information about the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary that you must know. Check them out:
- Today, this is a world-famous destination among tourists to witness the majestic wild animals – the Asiatic lions up close through the Gir National Park safari.
- Gir National Park was established in 1965.
- It was built with an initiative to protect endangered species of Asiatic lions.
- This park covers an area of 1412 sq. km.
- This park has an interpretation zone (Devaliya Park) built to allow tourists to spot wild animals in their natural habitats closely thereby reducing human interface in the core area of Gir Park.
- Wild animals: Asiatic lions, wild boars, sambar chinkara, and other species.
- Along with diverse animals, more than 300 bird species, reptiles, and other mammals live in this wildlife sanctuary.
- This destination is accessible through various travel options like trains, airplanes, and buses.
- For a hassle-free experience, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance online.
- Sasan Gir forest remains closed during the monsoon season, between mid-June to mid-October.
- Winter is the peak season.
- Gir offers jungle safari with morning and evening schedules.
- All safari schedules can be changed as per the Gir authority and forest department.
Conclusion:
Gir National Park is one of the top tiger reserves in India. It allows visitors to witness the astonishing beauty of nature while enjoying a unique wild adventure with their loved ones. With the mounting impact of climate change, protecting endangered species – like the Asiatic lions and their habitats is essential – for sustaining biodiversity and ecological stability.
Hence, the establishment of an eco-sensitive zone is pivotal. This will help preserve precious natural resources like wildlife, vegetation, heritage, and more for the survival of the coming generations.