The Ministry of Environment approved 13 wildlife sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) for scientific conservation of the ecosystem.
The 11 sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu are
Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary,
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary,
Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel sanctuary,
Megamalai Wildlife sanctuary,
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park,
Vettangudi Birds sanctuary,
Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary,
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary,
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary,
Oussudu Lake Bird Sanctuary
Point Calemere Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra have also been approved as ESZ.
ESZ
ESZs are extended up to 10 km from the protected areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
It acts as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
It works as a shock absorber to the protected areas as certain activities such as mining, quarrying or heavy construction are banned around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
It aims to minimize the negative impact on the fragile ecosystem.
Final ESZ notification provides for prohibition of mining, stone quarrying and crushing units located within one km of such protected areas.
The ESZ notifications are issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Environment (Protection) Rules 1986 by the Union Environment Ministry.
But, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”.
The Supreme Court in December 2006 had directed all the States to demarcate ESZs within four weeks.
Over 30 per cent of India's protected area (PA) has been covered under the Final ESZ notification.
Out of the 651 protected areas in India, 316 have been covered under the Final ESZ notification.