Kerala yet to submit report on revised buffer zone demarcation around protected forests

Kozhikode: Kerala is yet to submit a revised proposal to the union government regarding the extent of the Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) or the buffer zone around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. The Supreme Court order in April relaxed its earlier mandate to establish a one-kilometre-wide reserve area surrounding protected forests. The government can decide how large the buffer zone is. Kerala has a relatively dense population surrounding forests.

The revised proposal will consider existing constructions within each buffer zone. However, according to an RTI document from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to the Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA), the state has not yet provided this information to the union government.

In the interim judgement of June 3, 2022, the Supreme Court recommended a one-kilometre ESZ. Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan committee, appointed by the Kerala government, conducted field inspections and concluded that if the ESZs were set at one kilometre, it would encompass 70,582 structures. The committee's report was submitted to the Supreme Court.

However, in its final judgement on April 26, 2023, the Supreme Court removed the one-kilometre limit. Instead, it suggested that each wildlife sanctuary should have separate reserve areas, and it is the responsibility of the state governments to identify and delineate these areas, instructing the union government accordingly.