Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: HT
Context: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a draft notification demarcating an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Haryana side.
Rejecting Haryana’s proposal for only a 1,000-meter ESZ, the draft delineates an area of 1 km up to 2.035 km around Haryana’s side of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is ecologically sensitive and home to several endangered species. The draft seeks objections from stakeholders within 60 days.
About ESZ:
Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) are vital areas surrounding protected regions, designated by the central government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These zones categorize activities into prohibited (e.g., commercial mining), regulated (e.g., felling of trees), and permitted (e.g., local agriculture) to safeguard the fragile ecosystem.
About the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary:
It is situated in the Chandigarh Union Territory and encompasses the Shivalik Hills’ Sukhna Lake catchment area. It hosts diverse fauna including Sambar deer, Barking deer, and wild boar, alongside various bird, reptile, and amphibian species. The sanctuary features a blend of forests, grasslands, and wetlands, with Sukhna Lake playing a vital role in its ecosystem.
