Pulicat Lake Sanctuary Boundary Rationalisation

Key Points from the Article:

Wildlife Protection and Regulatory Framework

• Constitutional Reference: Wild Life (Protection) Act.
• Body Involved: Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL).

Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary

• Location: Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu.
• Key Species: Habitat for flamingos and other avifaunal species.
• Issues Identified:
  • Sanctuary boundary delineation deemed incorrect; should focus on lagoon area.
  • Current boundary integrates areas with common bird species, not critical habitats.

Policy Directives

• Boundary Rationalization Deadline: Tamil Nadu government directed to rationalize boundaries by April 2027.
• Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Notification: Required completion and re-submission within two months.
• Prohibition: No new proposals for industrial projects to be considered until boundary rationalization and ESZ notification are completed.

Industrial Projects

• Projects Approved:
  • Danblock Private Limited's project, 8.5 km from sanctuary.
  • Anjan Drug Private Limited's project, 7.87 km from sanctuary.
• Scientific Assessment:
  • Conducted by National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM).
  • Determined sanctuary's "zone of influence" to be about 5.1 km, stating industrial projects would not adversely impact wildlife.

Environmental Concerns

• Environmentalists cautioned that excluding adjoining villages from the sanctuary boundary could reduce the de facto ESZ (currently 10 km) and facilitate industrial development.
• Tamil Nadu government's actions include steps towards settling claims in adjoining villages as part of the boundary rationalization process.

Implications

• Potential impact on wildlife and habitats due to industrialization pressures.
• Focus on scientific assessments guiding wildlife protection policies.
• Importance of compliance with wildlife protection regulations and ESZ notifications for safeguarding biodiversity.

This summary encapsulates the dimensions of wildlife protection, regulatory action, and environmental considerations regarding the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary as directed by the SC-NBWL.