Chennai, Dec 3 (NationPress) A major advancement has occurred in Tamil Nadu regarding the long-awaited demarcation of eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around protected areas. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has submitted a draft ESZ map specifically for the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary located in the Tiruvallur district. The state government has transmitted this proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for their approval, indicating significant progress in adhering to a directive from the Supreme Court.

A senior official highlighted that the apex court had issued strict mandates after multiple states failed to meet previous deadlines for defining ESZs for all protected areas. The court required every sanctuary or national park to have a clearly defined buffer zone to manage activities that could jeopardize sensitive ecosystems.

In the absence of specific mapping, a default 10-km ESZ comes into effect, imposing extensive restrictions on development and any activity that could disturb wildlife.

Officials remarked that such blanket restrictions can be impractical, particularly around Pulicat, where fishing communities, agricultural lands, and long-established settlements are situated near the sanctuary’s borders.

The enforcement of a uniform 10-km zone, they noted, could significantly disrupt the lives and livelihoods of local residents. Acknowledging the socio-ecological intricacies of Pulicat, NCSCM scientists undertook a thorough assessment before establishing the ESZ boundaries.

Pulicat, recognized as India’s second-largest brackish water lagoon, is surrounded by over 40 fishing villages whose inhabitants rely heavily on fishing and agriculture. In many areas, farmland is adjacent to the sanctuary’s boundary, making strict zoning impractical. Researchers emphasized that the mapping was guided by the need to balance ecological conservation with the rights and needs of communities that have inhabited the region for generations.

The aim was to create sufficient ecological buffers without obstructing traditional livelihoods closely linked to the wetland ecosystem.

A senior wildlife official noted that progress accelerated only after the state provided the necessary datasets earlier this year. Considering the coastal complexities and dense human populations in the Pulicat area, scientists devoted over six months to crafting a scientifically sound boundary for the proposed ESZ.

The MoEFCC will now evaluate the draft, after which it will be opened for public consultation before final notification.