10-km buffer for national parks: SC gives more time to Centre, states

The Supreme Court today granted further time to the Central Government and states after only one state furnished...

The Supreme Court today granted further time to the Central Government and states after only one state furnished its response to repeated orders for notifying certain portions within a 10-km radius of national parks and sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan gave a direction to this effect after Solicitor General G E Vahanvati sought some time on the ground that he will seek instructions on how many states and UT’s have responded to previous orders of the court followed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

Even during the last hearing, the bench, which was presided over by then CJI Y K Sabharwal, had strongly remarked: “It is evident that States and UT’s have not given the importance that is required to be given to most of the laws to protect environment made after the Rio Declaration, 1972.” Following this, the court, seeking to declare a 10-km area surrounding sanctuaries and nationals parks as eco-sensitive zones, gave final opportunity to respond to the letter issued by the Ministry dated May 27, 2005.

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As the Solicitor General apprised the Bench that only Goa had come forward with its response, the counsel appearing for the petitioner Raj Panjwani objected saying even that response was incomplete.

Though he appropriate orders for implementation of the decision, the court posted the matter for further hearing, giving a last and final chance to all states and UTs.