Ranchi | April 28, 2016: Eleven of the 12 wildlife sanctuaries in Jharkhand do not have defined eco-sensitive zones (ESZ), which act as a buffer between protected forests and human encroachment, including mining and industrial activities.

Apart from Dalma, the state's wildlife sanctuaries - including Palamu Tiger Reserve and Betla National Park - are yet to notify their ESZs as mining activities and human encroachment in their vicinities affect the ecological balance of flora and fauna in the reserves.

The plight of the state's forests came to light on Monday after Union minister of forests and environment Prakash Javdekar gave the names of 275 sanctuaries across India that have ESZs during the question hour session in the Rajya Sabha.

Hazaribag Wildlife Sanctuary and Gautam Buddha Sanctuary (spread across Jharkhand and Bihar) along with Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhanbad are witnessing mining activities in their vicinity, but the state government is yet to define their ESZs and ban such activities 14 years after it was mandated in the National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) of 2002.

As per NWAP guidelines, 10km area outside national parks and sanctuaries should be developed as ESZs. Activities such as commercial mining, installation of saw mills and industries causing pollution, hotels and resorts and hydro-electric projects are banned in ESZs. Only Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary has a notified ESZ (measuring up to 5 km) in the state, which was notified in March 2012.

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