SIBLAC submits objections to MoEF proposal

With the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests proposing to curtail the buffer eco sensitive zones around national parks for Sikkim in its draft notifications issued recently, Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has filed its objection to the draft notification.
"We are totally against this draft notification on eco sensitive zones; it is only in favour of the power developers," said SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi.
In its objections filed before the MoEF, SIBLAC has alleged that this was an attempt to back "illegal" activities in Sikkim, Tashi asaid.
In its memorandum to the MoEF the SIBLAC alleged that the proposal would facilitate unrestrained exploitation of the natural resources to the detriment of the state's ecology and heritage.

SIBLAC argued that the drafts "lack scientific assessment" and "override the findings" of the National Board of Wildlife, which is part of the ministry and comprises a panel of academics.
Tashi said the objections filed by SIBLAC also state that this is an attempt to "override" the panel's demand to take stern action against illegal activities in connection with the construction of hydropower projects in Sikkim.

Another argument put up by SIBLAC is that while the MoEF is considering buffer zone of 1 km for Goa which is smaller than Sikkim the "minuscule zones" as proposed for the sanctuaries of Sikkim are all out of proportion, all the more as the KNP is part of the transnational Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve."

Lastly the notifications also do not provide a date from when they will come into effect, contends SIBLAC.
Recently the MoEF issued draft notifications notifying the eco sensitive zones or buffer zones for Sikkim. From the 10 km radius censored area surrounding national parks and wildlife sanctuaries within which human activity was barred the MoEF is now contemplating to reduce this 10 km area protected from any human and construction activity to a mere 25 metre in most of the national parks of Sikkim and to 200 metre for the Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP).