Odisha seeks trade-off: Revisit ESZ boundaries for tourism projects

In a move that could put significant pressure on critical protected areas (PAs) in Odisha, the state government has decided to revisit the boundaries of eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to remove the 'no commercial and no construction' clause for enhancing their tourism prospects.

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A meeting, chaired by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja on May 30, discussed tourism master plan and land bank issues and discussed governance and execution model for tourism infrastructure relating to national parks, sanctuaries and Ramsar sites.

Minutes of the meeting, revealed that the government plans to take a fresh relook at notifications of ESZs by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department through Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), to remove the 'no commercial/no construction' clause.

The meeting felt the clause does not accurately reflect the 'enabling spirit and provisions' of the existing guidelines of the Union ministry, though such areas have tourism development potential.