Madhya Pradesh

• 14 May 2024

Illegal Mining in Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News?

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a committee to look into the complaint of the illegal operation of stone crushers and mining quarries in an Eco-Sensitive Zone of Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key Points

• According to the NGT, immediate action is required for the disposal of 337 tonnes of chemical waste, addressing groundwater contamination, shortage of piped water, and monitoring iron, manganese and nitrate concentrations exceeding the permissible limit.
• Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1994 and is located within a large forest area.
  • It is situated near the Betwa River (a tributary of the Yamuna), in the border region between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, contributing to its unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

Eco Sensitive Zones

• The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors”.