Environment, Forests & Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar informed that the Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) for the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, prepared by the government of Uttarakhand and appraised by the ministry of jal shakti, has been approved on July 16.

Javadekar and Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari were taking part in a review meeting on the Chardham project. Gadkari said approval to Zonal Master Plan of Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone will pave way for faster project execution.

What is Eco-Sensitive Zone?

The National Environment Policy, 2006 defines Eco-Sensitive Zones as areas/zones, ‘with identified environmental resources having incomparable values which require special attention for their conservation’. 

The purpose of declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) is to create some kind of “shock absorber” for specialised ecosystems such as protected areas which include national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 

The ESZs act as transition zones for areas requiring high protection to areas where development may be permitted. 

How are ESZs notified?

Notifying ESZs around the protected areas is an important objective of MoEF&CC for sustainable development and for conservation of Wildlife and Biodiversity around Protected Areas. 

The statutory provisions for declaring ESZ include:

* Section 5C(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

* Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

* Section 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. 

A multi-disciplinary expert committee with tenure of five years considers ESZ proposals.  

Considering the above provisions, the ESZ notifications are published by the ESZ division of the ministry.

Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone

The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi covering an area of 4179.59 sq km was issued by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC) on December 18, 2012 keeping in view the requirements of the local people without affecting their rights and privileges and also ensuring eco-friendly development for their livelihood security. 

The notification was subsequently amended on April 16, 2018 in consultation with the ministry of road, transport and highways, government of Uttarakhand and Indian Roads Congress.

The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification mandated the state government of Uttarakhand to prepare ZMP to be implemented under the supervision of the Monitoring Committee.

The ZMP includes governance in the area of forest and wildlife, watershed management, irrigation, energy, tourism, public health and sanitation, road infrastructure, etc.

The approval of ZMP will give a boost to conservation and ecology of the area and also to undertake developmental activities as permitted under ZMP.

Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana

The Chardham project envisages development of easy access to the four prominent Dhams — Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

These four Dhams are prominent pilgrimage centres. The project entails development of 889 km of roads with configuration of two-lane with paved shoulders at an estimated cost of about Rs 12,000 crore. 

It was launched in December 2016 and initially targeted for completion by March, 2020. However, the project was delayed due to litigation in NGT and Supreme Court.

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