The Central Government has published a revised draft for the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Gujarat’s iconic Gir Forest, proposing a buffer area of 2,061 sq km. This updated zone surrounds the protected area and includes 196 villages, covering 17 rivers. Notably, this is a significant reduction of 1,267 sq km from the original draft proposed in 2016, which had demarcated 3,328 sq km as the buffer. According to forest officials, this downsizing is necessary to accommodate the growing needs of the communities living near the Gir Protected Area (PA), home to the endangered Asiatic lions.
Gir Forest, spanning 1,468 sq km, is the only habitat outside Africa where lions thrive in the wild. The region is also home to an incredible array of wildlife, with 41 mammal species, 338 bird species, and thousands of insect species, among others, making it a biodiversity hotspot. However, the area’s eco-tourism boom, combined with its rich mineral resources, has placed additional pressure on the delicate ecological balance. Despite conservation efforts, the need for human expansion remains a pressing challenge.
From a civic perspective, the proposed ESZ seeks to address both conservation and development. The area earmarked as ESZ includes revenue lands but excludes village settlements, allowing room for future urban expansion. Notably, 163 sq km of riverine areas have also been included to safeguard water bodies, crucial for the ecosystem’s sustainability. Stricter regulations will prohibit activities such as mining, commercial construction, and polluting industries within the ESZ, ensuring that local livelihoods and ecological preservation coexist.
The new proposal strives to strike a balance between wildlife protection and human development. It provides a more realistic approach by reducing the ESZ size, enabling sustainable growth of surrounding communities while safeguarding Gir’s unique biodiversity. With public feedback open for 60 days, this draft is a step towards integrating sustainability into urban planning, ensuring the delicate balance between nature and human habitation is maintained.
