Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

• 22 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) rejected the Uttarakhand government's proposal to permit soapstone mining on agricultural land at Pokhani, located near the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS). 

 Key Points 

• Wildlife Sanctuary and Endangered Species: 
  • The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is home to endangered species like the Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan tahr, both listed on the IUCN Red List. 
• Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Guidelines: 
  • While the precise boundaries of the sanctuary's eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) have not been defined, the environment ministry’s guidelines state that an area of 10 km around protected zones is considered an ESZ in the absence of defined boundaries. 
• Proposal for Soapstone Mining: 
  • In 2023, the Uttarakhand authorities presented a proposal to permit soapstone mining in Pokhani, located within the ESZ of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. 
• Environmentalists' Reaction: 
  • Environmentalists hailed the rejection as a significant step in protecting the sanctuary and its surrounding areas. 
  • They emphasized that the decision reflected an awareness of the risks posed by mining operations to the region’s ecology and local residents. 
• Concerns Over Unregulated Mining in Uttarakhand: 
  • Growing concerns over unregulated mining activities, particularly in Bageshwar district of Kumaon, have led to a stronger stance against such operations. 
  • Reports from the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority revealed severe damage caused by mining, including cracks in 200 houses, roads, and agricultural fields across 11 vulnerable villages. 

 National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)  

• National Board for Wildlife is a statutory Board constituted officially in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.  
  • It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife, established in 1952.  
• The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.  
• The board is ‘advisory’ in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.  
• It serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.  
• The standing committee of NBWL is chaired by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change.  
  • The standing committee approves all the projects falling within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.