Wildlife buffer zone: SC seeks govt response

The suggestion was pitched by senior advocate Harish Salve,amicus curiae in a PIL on conservation of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Citing the report of the Central Empowered Committee,he told the court that the present guideline defines the buffer zone up to 2 km but it was necessary to make a uniform rule that no activity shall be allowed in a 20-km zone from the periphery of parks and sanctuaries.

“I would also request the court to pass an order to ensure there is no discretion with the central or the state governments to decide the limits of this zone on a case-to-case basis since such discretion usually frustrates the purpose. There must be a fiat that in a 2-km area,there cannot be any activity. The dense forest cover has already been reduced to 1.89%,” said Salve.

Expressing dismay at the revelation,the court remarked: “I thought that after our intervention (constituting the Forest Bench) the things have improved.”

The court will next hear the matter on November 2.