Wildlife dept, Panchkula division, to come up with zonal master plan for ESZ around wildlife sanctuaries

Time of India

4 days ago

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Panchkula: For integrating ecological, environmental, socio-economic, and regulatory considerations, the forest and wildlife department of Panchkula division is going to prepare a zonal master plan (ZMP) of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Khol Hai Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (towards Haryana side).
Under the plan, mapping and delineation of the ESZ boundary based on GPS coordinates will be done. A baseline survey of land use, forest cover, water bodies, agricultural practices, tourism infrastructure, and habitations will also be carried out. Identification of prohibited, regulated, and permissible activities in the ESZ is also part of it.
A proposal will be prepared for the restoration of degraded areas, conservation of water resources and biodiversity, ecotourism promotion and regulation, sustainable livelihood options, regulation of construction and industrial activities, pollution control, and solid waste management.
Besides, the preparation of sectoral sub-plans (e.g., tourism, waste, transport, forest) in line with MoEFCC and State guidelines will be included.
The wildlife department is engaging an agency for the job.
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As per the wildlife department, Panchkula division, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) notified the ESZ around Khol Hai Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, dated October 24, 2016. This sanctuary falls under the Shivalik Hills.
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The ESZ varies from zero to 925 meters around the boundary of the sanctuary, comprising an area of approximately 1,320 hectares.
The ministry notified the ESZ around Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula, dated November 23, 2016. This sanctuary is situated at a height of approximately 400 metres above sea level in Panchkula. The said wildlife sanctuary falls under the Shivalik hills. It is part of the Ghaggar river catchment area, which is surrounded by some villages and forest areas.
Here, the seasonal river Kaushalya originates from the Himalayan region and passes through the sanctuary, and the entire area of the said wildlife sanctuary is formed by the accumulation of soil and manure.
The eco-sensitive zone varies from zero to 2,310 meters around the boundary of Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, and the total area falling under the ESZ is approximately 1,131 hectares.
The ministry also notified the ESZ around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (towards Haryana side) in the State of Haryana, dated Nov 11, 2024.
The eco-sensitive zone generally extends up to 1.0 km from the boundary of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Haryana side. It is further extended to 2.0 kilometres in the Reserved Forest on the northern side. On the eastern side, the eco-sensitive zone boundary is mostly 1.0 kilometre, running along the boundary of the reserved forest; it is extended on the south-eastern side to make it co-terminous with the boundary of the reserved forest, and the total area of the Eco-Sensitive Zone is 24.60 sq.
kms.
Ten villages, namely Prempura, Sokhomajri, Damala, Lohgarh, Manakpur Thakardas, Surajpur, Chandimandir Kotla, Darra Kharauni, Rampur, Saketari, and Mahadevpur, fall within the proposed ESZ. The total area proposed will be 6078.98 acres (2460.07 ha) and will encompass and include, inter-alia, the following areas. Out of the ten villages falling in the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone, two villages, Saketri and Prempura, fall within a radius of 700 meters from the boundary of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
While the houses in Village Saketri are located along the boundary of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, the habitation of Village Prempura is at a distance of 300 m to 700 m from the boundary of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
The state govt is mandated to prepare a ZMP for the ESZ in consultation with various departments and local stakeholders.
Rajender Prasad, divisional wildlife officer, Panchkula division, said, "After preparing the entire plan in about three months' time of allotting the work, the report will be sent to the govt. Future developments near these sanctuaries will depend on it."