Gujarat’s four national parks have least buffer zone

• TOI
• Rajkot
• Sat,25 Feb 2017
  

  

  
  

  Summary: In fact, the four national parks in the state have even lesser protection cover of ESZs than than the sanctuaries.The four national parks include Gir National Park, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park , Marine National Park and Vansda National Park . National parks, which have the highest protection cover for its flagship species, have the least eco-sensitive zone in Gujarat.This is revealed if one carefully analysis the ESZs around sanctuaries and national parks in the state. Any unwarranted, unauthorised and unregulated activities around these national parks would cause an irreparable loss of our precious natural heritage," said a senior forest department officer. Biren Padhya , a wildlife activist, said, "The government's attempt to reduce ESZs drastically even around the national parks is beyond common sense and devoid of scientific approach. The action plan also indicates all identified areas around protected areas and wildlife corridors should be declared as ecologically fragile under Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

  BHAVNAGAR: Gujarat government's utter disregard towards preserving its wildlife couldn't be more telling. National parks, which have the highest protection cover for its flagship species, have the least eco-sensitive zone in Gujarat.This is revealed if one carefully analysis the ESZs around sanctuaries and national parks in the state. In fact, the four national parks in the state have even lesser protection cover of ESZs than than the sanctuaries.The four national parks include Gir National Park, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park , Marine National Park and Vansda National Park .
  
  Out of the four, three are in Saurashtra.The final notification for Marine National Park has already been approved and the government's move to shrink ESZ cover for Gir and Velavadar will prove dangerous. Any unwarranted, unauthorised and unregulated activities around these national parks would cause an irreparable loss of our precious natural heritage," said a senior forest department officer. Biren Padhya , a wildlife activist, said, "The government's attempt to reduce ESZs drastically even around the national parks is beyond common sense and devoid of scientific approach.
  
  Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/states-four-national-parks-have-least-buffer-zone/articleshow/57336605.cms