Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a notification declaring the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Aravalli mountain range as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

The notified ESZ extends from zero to one kilometre around the sanctuary. The move aims to conserve the region’s rich biodiversity while also supporting indigenous and local communities living in and around the protected area.

Located about 80 km north of Udaipur, the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of over 610 sq km, spanning parts of Rajsamand, Pali and Udaipur districts. The sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife species such as leopard, striped hyena, jungle cat, Indian pangolin, blue bull, wild boar and chinkara, along with several bird species including the painted francolin.

Eco-Sensitive Zones are declared to act as “shock absorbers” for protected areas by creating a transition zone between regions of high ecological protection and areas with lesser protection.

As per the notification, the State Government is required to prepare a Zonal Master Plan within two years of the publication of the ESZ notification.

The declaration does not prohibit traditional livelihoods of local communities. Activities such as agriculture, house construction and other routine practices will continue to be permitted within the ESZ.

However, certain activities are prohibited, including:

• Commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units
• Setting up of industries causing air, water, soil or noise pollution
• Establishment of brick kilns
• Erection of new wind mills, among others