New Delhi: The area surrounding the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

The draft notification has banned 9 types of activities in the area. According to the draft notification, a 99.5 square kilometer area outside the sanctuary will come under the Eco-Sensitive Zone.

Activities including mining of rocks, large scale hydro-power projects, timber mills and industries that would pollute water, air and soil have been banned in the ESZ.