**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 352 regarding environmental crises in ecologically sensitive areas. The response, delivered by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, addresses concerns about uncontrolled construction, tourism infrastructure, and the need for a national policy to prevent environmental degradation. It details the role of Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ) and Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) and the requirement for State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to prepare Zonal Master Plans. The deadline mentioned is 02.02.2026 for answering the question.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose of ESZ/ESA:**
* ESZ/ESA act as "Shock Absorbers" for specialized ecosystems, such as Protected Areas.
* They serve as transition areas between highly protected regions and areas with lesser protection.
* **Management and Conservation:**
* Notifying ESZ/Areas is crucial for wildlife and biodiversity management.
* Sustainable development in surrounding landscapes is ensured, considering the aspirations of local people.
* **Zonal Master Plan:**
* State Governments/Union Territory Administrations must prepare a Zonal Master Plan within two years of the final ESZ notification.
* The plan should be developed in consultation with relevant line departments.
* It regulates developmental activities within the ESZ based on a list of prohibited, regulated, and promoted activities.
* Emphasis is placed on eco-friendly livelihood options for local communities.
* **Restrictions on Activities:**
* Activities like commercial mining, major hydroelectric projects, and polluting industries are prohibited within ESZ/Areas to prevent uncontrolled development.
* **Hill Slope Protection:**
* The Zonal Master Plan requires the identification of vulnerable hill slope areas where construction is not permitted.
* Construction on steep hill slopes or slopes exhibiting high erosion is prohibited.
* **Monitoring:**
* The monitoring committee oversees the implementation of ESZ/ESA notification provisions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments/Union Territory Administrations**
* **Impact:** Responsible for preparing and implementing Zonal Master Plans in accordance with ESZ/ESA notifications.
* **Action Required:** Develop Zonal Master Plans within two years of final ESZ notification, in consultation with line departments, and ensure adherence to the list of prohibited, regulated and promoted activities.
**Stakeholder: Local Communities**
* **Impact:** Developmental aspirations are to be considered while ensuring sustainable development. Access to eco-friendly livelihood options within the ESZ/ESA is to be promoted.
* **Action Required:** Engage with State Governments/Union Territory Administrations during the development of the Zonal Master Plans and comply with rules for ESZ/ESA.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**
* **Impact:** Overseeing the implementation of ESZ/ESA notifications and guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor the implementation of ESZ/ESA regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ): Areas around Protected Areas for management and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity, acting as transition zones with regulated activities.
Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA): Areas with specialized ecosystems to create a "Shock Absorber" for protected areas or ecologically important areas forming larger landscapes.
Zonal Master Plan: Plan mandated for State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to prepare within two years of the Eco-sensitive Zone notification to regulate developmental activities.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Union government ministry responsible for environmental policy and responses, including declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones/Areas.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 352
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Environmental Crises in Ecologically Sensitive Areas
352. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government acknowledge that uncontrolled, unplanned construction and
unscientific infrastructural development are causing serious environmental crises in
ecologically sensitive areas, leading to major disasters such as landslides and cloudbursts
in several States of the country in recent years particularly in Jammu and Kashmir,
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh;
(b) whether construction in the name of tourism infrastructure, hydro projects or other
development activities has been permitted in the eco-sensitive zones declared/protected by
the Government in various States during the last decade, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-
wise;
(c) whether the Government intends to formulate a clear national policy to prevent uncontrolled
construction and environmental degradation in ecologically sensitive areas, if so, the time
by which it is likely to be done; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) The very purpose of declaring Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) and Ecologically sensitive
Areas (ESA) is to create a kind of “Shock Absorber” for the specialized ecosystems, such as
Protected Areas or ecologically important areas forming larger landscapes. These zones act as
transition areas between regions of high protection and areas with relatively lesser protection.
Notifying Eco-sensitive Zones/Areas around the Protected Areas is an important measure for
management and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity while simultaneously ensuring
sustainable development in the surrounding landscapes keeping in view the developmental
aspirations of local people. After the publication of final Eco-sensitive Zone notification in the
official Gazette, the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are
mandated to prepare a Zonal Master Plan within two years in consultation with line departments
and in accordance with the stipulations contained in the notification. The Zonal Master Plan
regulates developmental activities within the Eco-sensitive Zone by strictly adhering to the list
of prohibited, regulated and promoted activities, with an emphasis on eco-friendly livelihood
options for local communities.To prevent uncontrolled and unplanned construction and unscientific infrastructure development
in ecologically sensitive areas, activities such as commercial mining, establishment of major
hydroelectric projects, setting of industries causing pollution, etc. are prohibited within Eco-
sensitive Zones/Areas. The Zonal Master Plan further mandates the identification of vulnerable
hill slope areas where construction is not permitted. In addition, construction on steep hill slopes
or slopes exhibiting high degree of erosion is not permitted, in order to minimise environmental
degradation and to reduce disaster risks. Further, the monitoring committee also oversees the
implementation of the provisions of ESZ/ESA notification.
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