The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified 48.32 Square Kilometres area around the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS), Thane, Maharashtra as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- The 48.32 Sq Km notified area extends from 0 – 3.89 km from the boundary of TCFS, which is spread across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
- ESZ will act as a buffer zone for protected areas and reduce the developmental pressures around a wildlife sanctuary or national park.
- ESZ is notified by MoEFCC under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Key Points
i.The zonal master plan for the protection of ESZ will be prepared in 2 years.
ii.The Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) lies along the western bank of Thane Creek.
- Notified in 2015, TCFS is spread across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
- It is the 2nd marine sanctuary of Maharashtra after Malvan Sanctuary, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.
- It is home to 12 Mangrove species, 39 categories of mangrove species, 167 species of birds like flamingos, 45 fish species, 59 species of butterflies, 67 insect species and mammals like Jackals among others.
- It is recognized as an “Important Bird Area” by the Bombay Natural History Society.
iii.Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas within 10 km around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Activities prohibited under ESZ are Commercial mining, stone quarrying, crushing units, the establishment of hydro-electric projects, solid waste disposal or wastewater disposal and other activities.
- They act as ‘Shock Absorbers’ to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries) and act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
- ESZs areas are regulated by MoEFCC. The act of notifying ESZ was initiated by the Government of India in 2011.
Recent Related News:
i.February 9, 2021, GoI approved the Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR) in Tamil Nadu (TN), it will be TN’s 5th Tiger Reserve and the Largest ever Tiger Reserve in the state.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Union Minister – Prakash Javadekar (Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra)
Minister of State – Babul Supriyo (Lok Sabha – Asansol, West Bengal)
