"People in ESZ won’t be Displaced, Can Continue Agri & Horticulture Practices": Centre

The establishment of a buffer or eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around protected forests and sanctuaries would not result in the displacement of people living there, nor would it have an impact on agriculture and horticulture practices, according to the Centre.

The Centre has also stated that activities carried out in ESZs are generally regulated, with only commercial mining, stone quarrying, and crushing units prohibited.

The Centre's position, which was communicated to Congress MP from Kerala K Muraleedharan by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, may assuage the fears of those who live near protected forests and are afraid of losing their homes and livelihoods if their lands fall within buffer zones.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, informed Muraleedharan that the Centre notifies ESZs based on proposals submitted by respective state governments.

"The declaration of an ESZ around protected areas does not involve displacement or evacuation of the local population and has no impact on their vocation," Choubey explained.

"Activities carried out within an ESZ are generally regulated, with the exception of a few specific activities that are prohibited, such as commercial mining, stone quarrying, and crushing units," he explained.

He also stated that there are no restrictions on ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices within an ESZ, including dairy farming, aquaculture, and fisheries. "Moreover, infrastructure-related activities, including civic amenities, are only regulatory in nature," the minister added.

Choubey further said that issues raised by Muraleedharan, under rule 377 process in Lok Sabha, have been duly noted and the state government has been requested to take due cognisance of the same, examine the issue raised and "take necessary action to demarcate the buffer zone around the protected areas".

Muraleedharan brought up the preliminary satellite survey report prepared by Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre to determine buffer zones around protected areas. In December of last year, the Kerala government published the Eco-Sensitive Zone maps and buffer zone report on its official website. These maps on the website show ESZs delineated near 22 protected forests in the state, including sanctuaries and national parks.

According to an official source, the report, which was published alongside the map, was a preliminary one based on satellite images of establishments, houses, and other constructions, as well as various activities, that fall within a one-kilometer radius of protected forests in the southern state.

According to the source, the buffer zone report, which was prepared during 2020-21, had already been sent to the Centre. Chief Minister Vijayan has stated repeatedly that no action will be taken that will have a negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of people who live near protected forests.

The state government's position is to exclude inhabited areas from the buffer zone limit, and it will go to any length to protect the interests of local residents and farmers in this regard, according to Vijayan.

The Supreme Court ordered in June of last year that a one-kilometer buffer zone be maintained around all national forests and sanctuaries. Both the Centre and the Kerala government challenged this decision in the Supreme Court.