Context

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a notification declaring the area around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

Key Details of the ESZ Notification

• Extent of ESZ: A buffer zone ranging from 0 to 1 kilometre from the boundary of the sanctuary has been notified as ESZ.
• Area Covered: Approximately 243 square kilometres.
• Affected Villages: A total of 94 villages across Rajsamand, Pali, and Udaipur districts, including 23 villages of Gogunda tehsil, will fall within the ESZ.
• Legal Basis: The notification has been issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Background:

• • The Rajasthan government submitted the ESZ proposal in 2020.
  • A draft notification was issued last year.
  • The final notification has now come into force.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Overview

• State: Rajasthan
• Districts Covered: Primarily spread across Rajsamand, Pali, and Udaipur districts
• Total Area: Approximately 610.5 square kilometres
• Mountain Range: Located in the Aravalli Range, encompassing the

• • Kumbhalgarh
  • Sadri
  • Desuri
  • Bokhada ranges
• The sanctuary is named after the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort, which lies within its premises.
• Kumbhalgarh Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the ruler of Mewar.
• Declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary: 1971

Faunal Diversity

Mammals

• Leopard
• Indian Wolf
• Sloth Bear
• Striped Hyena
• Jackal
• Wild Cat
• Sambar
• Nilgai
• Chinkara
• Indian Pangolin
• Indian Hare

Birds

• Painted Francolin
• Grey Junglefowl
• White-breasted Kingfisher
• Several other resident and migratory bird species

Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ):

Definition

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas notified around protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to regulate human activities and reduce ecological stress.

Objectives

• To protect fragile ecosystems from external anthropogenic pressure
• To minimize negative impacts on core protected areas
• To promote regulated and sustainable development
• To function as a “shock absorber” for protected ecosystems

Legal Framework

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Notifying Authority: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• Conceptual Basis: National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016)

Width of ESZ

• No uniform or fixed distance
• Site-specific, based on ecological sensitivity
• Determined in consultation with State Governments
• May be less than or more than 10 km
• Generally, a minimum buffer of 1 km is recommended