The Supreme Court on June 3 banned mining and development activities in national parks and wildlife santuaries, as well as a 1km buffer zone around them.
No prohibited activities will be allowed within 1-km eco-sensitive zone
A bench comprising Justice L Nageswara Rao, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Aniruddha Bose also said that no permanent structures or prohibited activities will be allowed within the 1-km eco-sensitive zone around national parks and sanctuaries.
The person responsible for such activities in such a situation will have to obtain permission within six months, the court said. Such permission shall be given when the principal chief conservator of forests is satisfied that the activities concerned do not come within the prohibited list and were continuing prior to passing of this order in a legitimate manner.
Some of the prohibited activities
As per the 2011 guidelines, commercial mining, setting up of saw mills and industries causing pollution, commercial use of firewood, establishment of major hydroelectric projects, use of production of any hazardous substances, undertaking activities related to tourism like flying over the national park area by any aircraft or hot air balloons, discharge of effluents and solid waste in natural water bodies or terrestrial areas will be prohibited activities.
The court had earlier suggested a 10-km buffer zone as per a CEC recommendation, but states opposed it as impractical.
