CEC submits recommendations for 102 National Parks and 515 sanctuaries
The Supreme Court directed Central Empowered Committee,formed to recommend buffer zones around ecologically sensitive areas likeNational Parks and Wild Life sanctuaries has recommended case specific bufferzones between 100 metres and 1 kilometre for six wild life sanctuaries and onenational park in Goa.
This is a part of a comprehensive exercise conducted for 102National Parks and 515 Wildlife sanctuaries across the country.
The recommendations, that have prima facie been accepted bythe apex court, assume critical significance for Goa, in the wake of the Shah Commission recommendations. The National Wildlife Board, in its 2002strategy meeting, had envisaged that lands falling within 10 kilometres of theboundaries of parks and wild life sanctuaries be notified as eco fragile zones.With states – including Goa and the centre – inordinately delaying coming to adecision on state and area specific needs, the 10 kilometer boundary has beenoften brought to the table as the acceptable boundary across the country.
While former Chief Ministers Digambar Kamat and PratapsinhRane have both taken a stand that there should be a zero buffer zone, the CECrecommendations appear far more realistic than the 10 kilometre boundary thatwould have perpetually stopped all development in the state.
The buffer recommendations are according to four categoriesthat the sanctuaries and parks have been classified depending on their areas.Protected areas of over 500 sq kms are in Category A, 200-500 sq kms in B, 100-200sq kms in C and upto 100 sq km in D.
On this basis the Bondla, the Salim Ali bird sanctuary andthe Cotigaon wildlife sanctuary are in category D with a 100 meter buffer zone.The Bhagwan Mahavir Wild Life sanctuary and National Park are in category Cwith a 500 metre buffer Zone. Finally the Netravalli and the Mahdei wild lifesanctuaries are in category B with a one kilometer buffer zone. (see detailedchart on page 3)
The CEC report, a copy of which is with The Goan, wassubmitted by its member Secretary M K Jiwrajka on September 20.
