WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN HARYANA

7 forests including Sultanpur declared eco-sensitive zones

Dipak Kumar Dash I TNN

New Delhi: What comes as welcome news for Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon, Bhindawas wildlife sanctuary in Jhajjar as well as another national park and seven other sanctuaries, the Central government has issued a draft notification declaring areas around these sites as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs). This would mean all development activity within 5-km radius of these spots will be restricted.
The state forest department had taken up the issue with the Centre after reports of realtors building close to the sites came in. Forest minister Kiran Choudhry claimed the notification would restrict the destruction of natural wealth in the garb of development . We took up the case silently with the Prime Minister and UPA chairperson being aware of the vested interest of different groups. Construction had started close to Sultanpur bird sanctuary. With the land prices sky-rocketing in Gurgaon , Jhajjar and Rohtak districts , these sites were facing threat of degradation, Choudhry told Times City.
Sultanpur and Bhindawas are close to the capital and both attract thousands of migratory birds belonging to over 250 species during winter.
The draft notification, to which anyone can object within 60 days, is likely to affect two special economic zones being developed in Gurgaon and Jhajjar districts . The government claimed that it would also go a long way in checking illegal mining in the Aravali and Shivalik ranges in the state. The Supreme Court has already declared Aravali as a protected forest and recently mining has been banned. We are trying to ensure no further degradation of Aravalis , which is crucial to our survival and maintaining ecological balance in the region , the minister said.
She added that with the notification of ESZs, the state government now has an additional tool to improve the buffers and green corridors around the protected forests.
Once the Centre comes out with the gazette notification , no highly polluting industries can be set up within 5km of the boundaries of these protected areas. The other restrictions in the ESZs include no permission to setting up polluting industries within 3 kilometres, no crushing activity or wood-based industry within a 2km radius. Moreover, no mining activity would also be allowed within 500 metres and no construction of more than twostoreyed (25 ft) buildings would be allowed within 300 metres. Moreover, no activity other than cultivation and the sinking of tubewells within 100 metres of the protected areas would be allowed.
The national park covered by the notification other than Sultanpur is Kalesar and sanctuaries covered by it are Kalesar, Khol Hai Raitan, Bir Shikargah, Nahar, Chhilchhila , Abushehar and Khaparwas besides Bhindawas.