Centre plans revision of Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) guidelines
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance -Environment
Why in News?
Recently, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has called for a review of the guidelines governing Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).
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Eco sensitive zones (ESZ)
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- Definition – They are buffer areas created around protected forests, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
- Objectives - To protect wildlife and biodiversity from harmful human activities.
- Prohibited Activities - Commercial mining, sawmills, and industries causing pollution.
- The establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP),
- Commercial use of wood.
- Regulated Activities - Felling of trees, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agricultural system.
- Permitted Activities - Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities.
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- Need for revision – To develop a more "flexible" and "site-specific" approach that balances conservation goals with local socio-economic "realities".
- Existing structure - Current ESZ guidelines are designed primarily with terrestrial sanctuaries in mind and often do not apply well to marine ecosystems.
In states like Himachal Pradesh, where approximately 65% of the land is already under forest or protected status, a rigid imposition of ESZ norms could hinder local development without proportional ecological gains.
Recent recommendations
- Flexible approach - A more flexible and site-specific ESZ framework is essential to encourage conservation, without creating unintended hardships.
- Several members and state officials flagged concerns over the negative impact of blanket ESZ provisions.
- Stakeholder involvement – The proposal involves stakeholder consultations, including inputs from state governments, relevant ministries, environmental experts, and the ESZ division.
- Complete prohibition - The notification mentioned a complete ban on mining activities within a notified ESZ.
- Developmental hindrance - The committee noted that the sectors most impacted by ESZ guidelines include mining, highways, railways, housing, and tourism.
- Unlike in protected areas, where compensation is provided during the settlement of rights, no such relief exists for ESZs.
- Inter-ministerial coordination - A formal inter-ministerial consultation has been suggested to solicit views from all the departments concerned, before finalising any changes in the guidelines.
- Preparation of notice - Following the discussion, the SC-NBWL directed the environment ministry to prepare a note on the issue.
- Submission of proposals - The final recommendations will be submitted to the committee for further deliberations.
Reference
Business Standard | Revision of eco-sensitive zone guidelines
Gingee Fort
Prelims: Current events of National & International importance |Art and culture
Why in News?
Recently, Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu was recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gingee fort
- Located in - Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu.
- Located atop three hillocks – Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chandragiri
- Built by - Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty.
- Built in - 1200 CE.
- Known as –The ‘Troy of the East.’
- Part of -The Maratha Military Landscapes.
- Historic legacy - It was under the possession of several empires, such as the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, Nawabs, the French and British.
- Features- Stepped well, a Kalyana Mahal, a durbar hall, a cannon, a clock tower, an armoury, an elephant tank, a stable, a granary, a gymnasium, the Venkataramana temple, and the Sadathtulla mosque.
- Water supply system -It consists of two elaborate systems for water supply, which ensured that even the top of the structure had continuous supply of water.
Maratha Military Landscapes of India
- The network of 12 forts demonstrates the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire.
- Located in - Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
- Constructed during – 17th to 19th centuries CE.
- Selected sites - Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.
- Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
- Classifications -Based on the location
- Hill forts - Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee.
- Hill forest forts – Pratapgad.
- Hill-plateau fort – Panhala.
- Coastal fort – Vijaydurg.
- Island forts -Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg.
Reference
PIB| UNESCO World Heritage Site- Maratha Military Landscapes
NITI Aayog’s Report on Reforming S&T Councils
Prelims: Current Events of National and International importance
Why in News?
Recently, Niti Aayog has proposed a roadmap to strengthen State Science and Technology (S&T).
- Aim - To decentralize scientific governance and boost region-specific innovation for economic growth.
- Focus - It is focusing on structural reforms, funding strategies, and stronger industry linkages to make these councils drivers of technological self-reliance and sustainable development.
- Transforming Councils into Innovation Hubs - State S&T Councils must evolve from passive bodies into dynamic enablers of regional innovation.
- Funding Imbalances - The report recommends performance-linked funding and encouraging councils to secure project grants and private sector support.
- States like Kerala and Karnataka, have leveraged their councils to drive initiatives whereas other states remain hindered by irregular meetings, limited autonomy, and over-reliance on core grants from central agencies.
- Leadership - Niti Aayog suggests full-time executive directors with industry expertise and including industry bodies (CII, FICCI), scientists in council governance for better accountability and impact.
- Boosting Industry Partnerships – Strengthening Industry engagement ties is crucial for converting research into market-ready solutions and fostering local entrepreneurship.
- Successful State Initiatives
- Punjab’s anti-stubble burning briquetting plants,
- Mizoram’s grassroots innovation centre, and
- Kerala’s fellowship for women scientists returning to research.
- Towards a Knowledge Economy - State S&T Councils are vital for addressing local challenges in agriculture, renewable energy, disaster management, and healthcare.
- Empowering them is key to building a resilient, innovation-driven India ready to compete globally.
- Need for Reform - India faces rising global competition in innovation and seeks to improve its R&D rankings.
- Empowering state institutions is seen as essential for bridging gaps in the decentralised R&D landscape and achieving technological ambitions.
Reference
BW| Niti Ayog’s Report on Reforming S&T Councils
Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024
Prelims: Current Events of National and International Importance
Why in the News?
Recently the Maharashtra Assembly passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at preventing “unlawful activities of Left-Wing Extremist organisations or similar groups”.
Key features of the bill
- The Bill defines certain activities by an individual or an organisation as unlawful.
- Unlawful Activities mentioned in the bill - Any action or speech that constitutes
- Danger to public order,
- Incites violence,
- Disrupts communication, or
- Encourages disobedience to established law and its institutions.
- Advisory Board - The Bill constitutes an Advisory Board to examine the decision to designate an organisation as unlawful.
- The designation comes into effect only after approval from the Board.
- Offences under the Bill - Being a member of an unlawful organisation, attending its activities, promoting its meetings, managing its affairs, or planning or committing unlawful activities.
- Contributing or soliciting contributions as a non-member will also be punishable.
- Penalties and Enforcement - Offences are cognisable and non-bailable, with jail terms of 2–7 years and fines up to Rs.5 lakh.
- Forfeiting properties - Authorities can seize and forfeit properties and funds linked to unlawful groups, sometimes before trial, with limited judicial oversight.
- Administrative Powers - District magistrates and police commissioners can notify, evict, and seize assets tied to banned organisations.
- The Bill allows for expedited prosecution, bypassing higher-level approval for certain actions.
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Similar Laws in Other States
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- Chhattisgarh Vishesh Jan Suraksha Adhiniyam, 2005 - Empowers the state to ban extremist organisations, seize assets, and prosecute members, upheld by the High Court in 2014.
- Andhra Pradesh Public Security Act,1992 - Provides for banning Naxal organisations and criminalising support structures.
- Telangana and Odisha Public Security Laws -Telangana inherited Andhra Pradesh’s framework; Odisha uses the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908, to ban extremist groups.
- Common Features - All these laws enable swift action against extremist networks, asset forfeiture, and criminalise association—Maharashtra’s Bill closely mirrors these provisions.
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- Concerns – Broad and Stringent Provisions – The bill’s wide definitions could target legitimate dissent, student groups, and protest movements.
- Civil society and opposition parties argue it risks misuse, bypasses judicial safeguards, and duplicates existing laws like UAPA and MCOCA.
- Ambiguity and Potential for Misuse - Ambiguous definitions of “unlawful activity” and “extremist organisation” may lead to arbitrary enforcement.
- Concerns persist over civil liberties, freedom of association, and the potential chilling effect on democratic expression.
- Balancing Security and Rights – The Bill aims to address urban extremism but must ensure safeguards to prevent overreach and protect democratic freedoms, reflecting ongoing debates seen in other states.
Reference
The Hindu| Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024
