BENGALURU: The Central government has notified Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu district as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). It ranges from 1km to 16km around the boundary of this protected area. However, there is no demarcation of ESZ along the side where it shares border with Kerala state.
With the notification effective from May 15, all new and existing commercial mining activities, new industries and expansion of polluting industries, major hydroelectric projects, new sawmills, poultry and commercial livestock are prohibited.
No change in land use patterns. This means conversion of agriculture, forest or horticulture areas into spaces for commercial or industrial activities will not be permitted. Also, construction of new hotels or resorts will not be permitted within a kilometre of the protected area or up to the extent of ESZ.
Spread over 106 sqkm, Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is characterised by rugged terrain and rainfall ranging from 6,000-7,000 mm. It is a catchment area for Cauvery river and serves as an important catchment for perennial streams like Dodda Hole, Nadumale Hole, Bettamale Hole, Kume Kolli and Mundra Hole.
Manoj Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu, told Express, “On the Kerala side, the ESZ demarcation has to be done from that state. But this notification will have a positive impact on the protected area as no new hotel, resort, commercial or industrial activity is allowed. The sanctuary partly serves as a catchment for Cauvery while the perennial streams cater to the needs of both Dakshina Kannada district and Kerala.”
Welcoming the ESZ notification, wildlife activist G Veeresh said, “This will help conserve the ecological areas in and around the sanctuary while commercial activities like resorts, mining and other environmental disaster projects are prohibited.”