Siliguri, July 15 -- The West Bengal government has decided to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around forest areas of Siliguri from 5 km to 1 km, Forest minister Manoj Oraon announced on Wednesday after a meeting at the Siliguri State Guest House.
The meeting was attended by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, Tourism minister Shankar Ghosh, Minister of State for Transport and Finance Anandamay Barman and others.
Addressing the media, Oraon said: "Earlier, in accordance with the Green Tribunal's guidelines, the Eco-Sensitive Zone was fixed at five kilometres. In today's meeting, we decided to reduce it to one kilometre. A draft notification will be issued first, following which the final decision will be taken."
The previous 5-km ESZ had created legal hurdles for construction, road projects and infrastructure development in forest-adjacent areas.
While welcoming the move, environmentalists urged caution. Animesh Basu, Secretary of the Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF), said: "The decision to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone to one kilometre has been taken, but it must be ensured that forests and wildlife do not suffer any harm. The Forest department should remain vigilant and take all necessary measures."
Later, the Forest minister visited the Bengal Safari park and planted trees there. The minister said that all vacant posts in the Forest Department will be filled and warned of zero tolerance towards corruption.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.