Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone

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Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone: Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan has been officially declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The notification aims to strengthen ecological protection while ensuring balanced development for local communities.

The decision reflects India’s policy of integrating environmental conservation with community welfare and sustainable development.

Eco-Sensitive Zone notification

The ESZ boundary has been notified from zero to one kilometre around the sanctuary. This regulatory buffer is meant to control unplanned construction, mining, and industrial expansion in fragile ecological zones.

Eco-Sensitive Zones function as transition areas between strictly protected forests and human-dominated landscapes. They ensure that development activities do not disturb wildlife habitats, forest cover, and water systems.

Static GK fact: ESZs are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate activities around protected areas.

Ecological importance of the Aravalli region

The sanctuary lies in the Aravalli mountain range, one of the oldest mountain systems in the world. The region plays a critical role in groundwater recharge, climate regulation, and soil conservation.

The forest ecosystem supports dry deciduous vegetation, rocky landscapes, and seasonal water streams. This ecological diversity makes the area highly sensitive to human disturbance.

Static GK Tip: The Aravallis act as a natural barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert.

Biodiversity and wildlife value

The sanctuary supports rich wildlife diversity. Key species include leopard, striped hyena, jungle cat, Indian pangolin, blue bull (nilgai), and chinkara.

It is also an important habitat for bird species such as the painted francolin, strengthening its role in avian conservation. The ESZ status helps protect migration routes, breeding zones, and food chains essential for species survival.

The ecological buffer reduces habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict.

Community and livelihood integration

The ESZ notification focuses on indigenous and local communities living around the sanctuary. Conservation is linked with sustainable livelihood models.

Activities like organic farming, agroforestry, and eco-friendly practices are encouraged. This approach ensures income generation without ecological damage. The policy promotes community participation in conservation rather than exclusion-based protection models.

About Eco-Sensitive Zones in India

Eco-Sensitive Zones act as shock absorbers for protected areas. They create a graded protection system from core forest zones to human settlements.

As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016), land within 10 km of protected areas is generally considered for ESZ status. However, this distance is flexible and depends on ecological sensitivity.

Certain activities like commercial mining, sawmills, and commercial timber use are prohibited. Sustainable activities such as agriculture, rainwater harvesting, and organic practices are permitted.

Static GK fact: India has 600+ notified Eco-Sensitive Zones across different states.

Conservation–development balance

The Kumbhalgarh ESZ reflects India’s evolving conservation approach.
Protection is combined with regulated development, community welfare, and ecological sustainability.

This model strengthens biodiversity conservation while maintaining socio-economic stability in forest fringe regions.

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Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone: