The Government of India has designated areas surrounding Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to protect the region’s unique ecosystem from the adverse effects of urbanization and developmental activities.
Key Highlights
- Sanctuary Overview:
- Established in 1962 for wildlife conservation.
- Covers an area of 29.94 sq km.
- Extent of the ESZ:
- Includes 43 villages: 34 in the Nachan Forest Division and 9 in the Karsog Forest Division.
- The ESZ extends from 50 meters to 2 kilometers around the sanctuary.
- About eco-sensitive zones (ESZs)
- Declared under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, based on state government proposals.
- The ESZ functions as a “shock absorber” to protect high-conservation areas by transitioning to zones with less protection.
- Objectives:
- Prevent deforestation and human-wildlife conflict.
- Conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development.
- Act as a buffer zone to manage transitions from high-protection to lower-protection areas.
- Regulatory Nature:
- ESZ regulations are not prohibitive but regulatory, allowing agricultural activities, house construction, and other vocations of local communities unless specified otherwise in the notification.
- Management Approach:
- The zone will follow a core and buffer model to balance wildlife conservation and community welfare.
