MoEFCC drafts eco-sensitive zone for Dudhwa tiger reserve

Pilibhit: Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) on Wednesday issued a draft notification for the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), covering 178 villages. The ESZ will extend one km around the reserve's boundary and encompass entire buffer area.The reserve spans 2,201 sqkm, with a 1,093 sqkm core area and 1,107 sqkm buffer, across Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur districts. The core includes Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.The MoEFCC has invited public feedback within 60 days. After final notification, state govt will prepare a zonal master plan within two years, integrating ecological safeguards with input from 11 departments, including environment, forest and wildlife, tourism, agriculture and UP State Pollution Control Board.DTR field director H Rajamohan said the ESZ will restrict the conversion of forests, agricultural land and recreational areas into industrial or large residential zones. State will manage water bodies, tourism, heritage sites, pollution and waste according to MoEFCC guidelines.A 10-member central monitoring committee chaired by Lucknow divisional commissioner will oversee ESZ activities with sub-committees in each district led by district magistrates. These committees will scrutinise ESZ-related activities based on site-specific conditions, MoEFCC guidelines and State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.