Eco-sensitive zone: top court may take up Kerala’s review

• Supreme Court indicated it may consider taking up Kerala’s review of the Supreme Court’s judgment to have a one-km eco-sensitive zone ringing protected forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country along with a plea for clarification sought by the Centre.

Importance of Judgement

• It will lead to massive displacement of people living in the vicinity of forest areas.
• The judgement would strip thousands of Scheduled Tribe families and forest dwellers of their vested rights under the law.

Previous Judgement

• ESZs around national parks, forests and sanctuaries would function as a “shock absorber” for the protected areas.
• These zones would act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to those involving lesser protection.

Prelims Take Away

• Eco-sensitive Zone