ESZ blues: Gujarat gets Centre's assurance of positive steps

GANDHINAGAR: Union environment & forest and climate change minister Anil Madhav Dave on Saturday assured Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani that the Centre would favourably decide the teething problems pertaining to declaring 11 Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in the state.
Rupani during his meeting with Dave here listed a number of issues discussed like carrying out agricultural and other economic activities by villagers and providing infrastructure facilities, like drinking water, electricity and gas pipelines through the 11 Eco-Sensitive Zones in the state.The state will have to seek the Centre's permission in each case. The Centre had notified these zones as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court. They include national parks at Gir and Velavadar, wildlife sanctuaries at Gir, Paniya, Mitiyana, Velavadar, Barda, Nalsarovar, Khijadiya, Gaga and Hingolgarh, besides a birds sanctuary at Porbandar.
Other present during the meeting were Gujarat's forest minister Ganpat Vasava, minister of state for environment Shankar Chaudhry and senior officers of environment and forest department.
Responding positively to Gujarat's concern, Dave told Rupani that the Centre would convene a joint meeting of the Central and state government officers of departments concerned in New Delhi to find a permanent solution to the issues raised in the larger interest of the people.
It was emphasized at today's meeting that non-essential areas need not be included in the Eco-Sensitive Zones. Permission has been sought from Central Zoo Authority for the Ambardi Safari Park near Gir Sanctuary.
Rupani pointed out that agricultural lands of farmers have been included in these zones, obstructing the people's movement, jeopardizing their livelihood and halting construction activities for the infrastructure projects in these zones. A presentation on the problems faced by the villagers in these notified zones was made before the Union minister.