Gujarat Declares 1.84 Lakh Hectares Around Gir as Eco-Sensitive Zone

The Gujarat government has declared 1.84 lakh hectares surrounding the Gir Protected Area as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) through a draft notification. This initiative aims to balance the conservation of Asiatic lions' habitat with sustainable development. The ESZ includes both forest and non-forest land across 196 villages.

The Gujarat government has officially declared 1.84 lakh hectares surrounding the Gir Protected Area as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). The draft notification aims to balance conservation efforts for the Asiatic lion while promoting sustainable development in the region.

Currently, areas within 10 km of the Gir outer boundary are considered ESZ as per the Supreme Court and Central guidelines. The new notification sets the minimum ESZ boundary at 2.78 km and the maximum at 9.5 km, allowing for reduced limits to foster regional development.

Seventeen river corridors and four crucial lion movement paths are part of the new ESZ, formulated based on a decade of data. This area spans 24,680 hectares of forest and 1,59,785 hectares of non-forest land across 196 villages in Junagadh, Amreli, and Gir Somnath districts, which will significantly aid in lion conservation.

(With inputs from agencies.)