Agriculture Eco-sensitive zone tag for Bhitarkanika villagesHome

KENDRAPADA: The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change recently declared 192 villages around the Bhitarkanika National Park and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapada district as eco-sensitive zone (ESZ).
The ESZ status aims at preventing ecological damage caused due to development activities around the Bhitarkanika, touted as the India's second-largest mangrove forest after Sundarbans in West Bengal, and Gahirmatha beach, the world's 'largest rookery' of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

"The union government on October 21, 2014, issued a draft notification, identifying the ESZ, covering 192 villages within two-km radius of Bhitarkanika and invited suggestions and objections from the locals within two months. Many villagers and environmentalists submitted their suggestions and objections, which were taken into consideration by the Centre," said chief wildlife warden and principal chief conservator of forests S S Srivastava. The ESZ status would not hamper day-to-day activities and livelihood of the locals. The activities in the zone would be of a regulatory nature rather than prohibitive, he said.

"The state government will prepare a zonal master plan within two years in consultation with local people for effective management of the ESZ," Srivastava added.
The new ESZ guidelines, declared by the ministry on June 15, would ensure that these areas act as shock absorbers to the protected areas. "The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around Bhitarkanika and Gahiramatha so as to minimize adverse impact on the fragile ecosystem," added the forest officer.

The guidelines include a broad list of activities that could be allowed, promoted and regulated. The guidelines said activities, including commercial mining, setting up of saw mills and industries, causing pollution, commercial use of firewood and setting up of major hydro-power projects are prohibited in such areas. They also prohibit activities like flying over the protected areas in an aircraft or hot air balloon and discharge of effluents and solid waste to natural water bodies or terrestrial areas.

Felling of trees, drastic change in agriculture systems, commercial use of natural water resources and setting up of hotels and resorts are the activities to be regulated in the areas, said Srivastava. Activities permitted in the areas include ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, adoption of green technology and use of renewable energy sources.

Bhitarkanika has 82 species of mangroves, including many sub-species. It has a unique ecosystem, crisis-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks, which are infested with more than 1,600 crocodiles.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/