Three eco-sensitive zones proposed in Uttarakhand

The state is mulling to declare ESZs in all the buffer areas of the remaining national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

The Uttarakhand government has proposed to declare three eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) - Binog (Mussoorie) Wildlife Sanctuary, Valley of Flowers National Park and Nandhore Wildlife Sanctuary - in the state.

"We have already sent proposals to the Centre to declare three new eco-sensitive zones in our state," said a senior government official.

The proposal is being seen as a step to stop the rampant ongoing haphazard and unplanned development along the key national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The state government is also mulling to declare ESZs in all the buffer areas of the remaining national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including the world-famous Corbett National Park. Under the Supreme Court orders, 10 km around the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries should be declared eco-sensitive zones, the official said.

Facing widespread opposition from the state government in the recent past, the Centre had said it would review the contentious ESZ along the Bhagirathi River in Uttarkashi district, which has put a roadblock in the developmental projects of Rs 10,000 crore.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat had been opposing the 4,180-sq km and 100-km long ESZ. The final notification in this regard was issued in December 2012. The ESZ in the Bhagirathi Valley has adversely affected scores of developmental projects, including tourism activities and hydel projects in the state.

The ESZ area has been increased from 40 sq km to 4,180 sq km without taking the consent of the state, government officials said.

The central government's decision to declare ESZ on Bhagirathi had dealt a final blow to hydel projects in the vast stretch of the river between Gomukh and Uttarkashi regions in Uttarakhand. Hydel projects with a capacity of over 1,743 megawatts are being affected by the ESZ in the area where the Centre has put restrictions on any big construction activity.

A senior government official said the ESZ will also adversely affect the construction of roads along the India-Tibet border and certain defence projects also.

After facing attack from the Opposition on the issue, the state Cabinet decided to oppose the Centre's recent notification on the ESZ, saying it would adversely affect the development of the area. Rawat said several infrastructure development projects in the region are in the pipeline and the Centre's move will be tantamount to stalling nearly all of them, including construction of bridges, Border Roads Organisation's realignment work and flood control measures.