Until the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) subjects the clearance for any activities to be conducted near the boundary of Sariska tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned all the mining activity within 10 km radius of the reserve, reported The Hindu.

Eco-sensitive zone for the tiger reserve

The directions of the ban on mining came following an appeal filed against the environmental clearance permitted for 24 mining projects that was given in 2016 by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority and the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority. The permit was granted to mine within 10 km distance of the tiger reserve.

The NGT bench headed by judicial member Raghuvendra S. Rathore passed the judgment after noting the final notification on the eco-sensitive zone for the Tiger reserve. However, the eco-sensitive zone for the tiger reserve at Sariska is yet to be notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change (MoEF&CC), as reported by The Hindu. 

Final notification on mining activities

According to the Hindustan Times,  the bench in its order issued on December 20 said, “We direct that all mining activities of any mineral will be stopped within 10 km of the boundary of Sariska Tiger Reserve till mining leases are cleared by the standing committee of the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL).”

Earlier, the Supreme Court (SC) in 2006 prohibited mining activities within 1km of national park and sanctuaries. Following the apex order, the Union government in their memorandum dated December 2, 2009, pointed out that all the cases related to environmental clearance that has been given to mining projects around national parks should be placed before the standing committee of the NBWL for evaluation.

Reportedly, the tribunal’s order also took note of SC’s order that was passed earlier this month. In which the SC stated that for 21 national parks and sanctuaries, the eco-sensitive zones will be 10 km as the proposal for the same has not been sent to MoEF by the states. According to the lawyer representing Rajasthan government, the state is yet to announce eco-sensitive zone for Sariska tiger reserve. It further said that the proposal is still pending with the environment ministry, as reported by the Hindustan Times. 

Also Read: “31 Hills Have Disappeared”: SC Raps Rajasthan Govt Over Illegal Mining In Aravalli Range