eco-sensitive zones

India’s wildlife habitats have always faced problems of illegal construction as well as villages, roads and highways piercing through sanctuaries, and other infrastructure deemed necessary. Now, the Supreme court has taken the debate further in modifying its earlier order ensuring there are inbuilt safeguards for preventing rampant construction and abuse of process.

he Division Bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice R.C. Khulbe heard a  Public Interest  Litigation (PIL) filed by  Independent Medical Initiative Society to save the Elephant Corridors near Corbett National Park.

A June 3 apex court order that all protected forest tracts and wildlife sanctuaries should have eco-sensitive zones of one kilometre from their boundaries has led to protests in Kerala. It is now thinking of bypassing the order

Reacting to a challenge by the State of Jharkhand of the Centre’s coal block allocation, allegedly near eco-sensitive zones, The Supreme Court today overruled the Centre’s objections and decided to form an expert committee to look into the issue.