Bengaluru: After the Centre accepted the state government's recommendation to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by 100 sqkm, environmentalists are exploring legal options to fight the order that will have disastrous consequences on the wildlife.
“We won't let this disaster happen. How can the Centre accept such a demand? Ramifications of this move on the wildlife are beyond comprehension. Thou-sands of citizens have signed several petitions demanding that the ESZ shouldn't be shrunk," said tree doctor Vijay Nishanth.
The state government had recommended that the ESZ be reduced from 268.9 sqkm to 168.84 sqkm.
A senior officer in the Forest Department, who wished not to be identified, too warned that the move will adversely affect the wildlife. “Naturally, this reduction will impact the wildlife. The buffer should be enough for the national park. Though quarrying acti-vities will not take place since there is a safe zone of 1 km, urbanisation could have an impact," the officer said.
Environmentalists are now thinking of obtaining a stay against the order. “We were hoping that after thousands of citizens objected to the reduction of ESZ, the Centre would reject the recommendation of the state. But that was not to be. The fight for the green continues," Dr Nishanth said.
In another 90 days, the final ESZ notification will be published. In October 2018, the draft notification was published and the citizens were given 60 days to file objections.
