Eco sensitive zone in Aurangabad

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has declared an area up to 500m from the boundary of  Jayakwadi bird sanctuary in Aurangabad as an eco sensitive zone. It has been almost a year and a half since a draft notification has been issued in this behalf. Eco sensitive zone refers to the area where prohibitions and restrictions will be levied on man-made activities and at the same time a set of nature-friendly activities will be encouraged. The eco sensitive zone around Jayakwadi bird sanctuary is spread over an area of 141.05 sqkm and includes 100 villages. It will help in protecting the habitat of the sanctuary which is home to 234 species of resident and migratory birds along with 67 species of fishes. A forest department official said that the necessary formalities required to ensure effective implementation of rules and regulations related to eco-sensitive zone would be completed shortly. He stressed the need for the active involvement of all stakeholders to protect the local biodiversity. This declaration was long due, but the change of guard at the level of MoEF during July last year could have delayed the necessary announcement in declaring eco-sensitive zone around Jayakwadi bird sanctuary, said a forest department official. Environmentalists are excited about the much-awaited declaration of the eco-sensitive zone around Jayakwadi bird sanctuary.