NEW DELHI: The Centre has notified 870 sq km area around National Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh as Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ), prohibiting polluting activities such as industries, major hydroelectric project, mining, stone quarrying and big constructions within the ‘ no-go area ’ for conservation of its ecology comprises of unique geographical feature (ravines), water bodies, flora and fauna.

Under this notification, the state government is now required to prepare a ‘zonal master plan’ to take care of the ESZ and an ‘eco-tourism master plan’ to promote tourism within the earmarked area of the sanctuary which is home to 75% population of critically endangered species of Gharial and 180 species of migratory birds.

The sanctuary, located in and along river Chambal - one of the cleanest rivers of India - in Sheopur, Morena and Bhind districts of Madhya Pradesh, also harbours national aquatic animal - the freshwater Gangetic dolphin - and nine species of freshwater turtles.

“The extent of ESZ varies from zero (due to inter-state boundary) to two kilometer from the National Chambal Sanctuary in the state of Madhya Pradesh,” said the notification, issued by the Union environment ministry on February 20.

The move will also help in the Centre’s larger plan to develop ravines of Chambal into one of the hubs of eco-tourism and improved farm practices in the country. Being treated as a model of landscape conservation, the ravines in Sheopur and Morena districts of the state will be developed by the Centre as part of its ‘Green Agriculture’ project.

The project is being implemented by the Centre in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations . The project landscape in Madhya Pradesh covers 97,882 hectares covering deeply eroded gullies (ravines), formed over centuries, as a result of surface run-off and monsoon rainfall on deep alluvial soils.

Before notifying the ESZ, the ministry had in June last year released its draft inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders. The ministry, however, did not get any objections and suggestions during a period of 60 days from the date of release of the draft.

The notification carries a boundary description of the ESZ, map of the protected areas demarcating the Zone and list of villages falling within the Zone with their geo-coordinates.

The Madhya Pradesh government is expected to prepare the ‘zonal master plan’ within two years in consultation of local authorities. The Plan will be a reference document for the monitoring of all activities within the ESZ. It will regulate development in the Zone and adhere to prohibited and regulated activities.

Activities relating to rainwater harvesting , organic farming, use of renewable energy, agro-forestry and use of eco-friendly transport will be promoted within the ESZ as permitted activities. The proposed ‘eco-tourism master plan’ will form a component of the ‘zonal master plan’.

Under ‘eco-tourism master plan’, new construction of hotels and resorts will not be allowed within one km from the boundary of the sanctuary or up to the extent of the ESZ. All sites of valuable natural heritage in the ESZ such as gene pool reserve, rock formations, waterfalls, springs, gorges, caves and cliffs will be conserved as part of the zonal master plan.

