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Uttarakhand Reviews Eco‑Sensitive Zones to Align Conservation with Local Interests
✍️ India Today
🗓 16 Oct 2026, 04:32 AM
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The state government of Uttarakhand has initiated a review of its eco‑sensitive zones, aiming to reconcile environmental protection with the needs of local communities.
Uttarakhand's administration has launched a systematic review of the eco‑sensitive zones (ESZs) that overlay the state's ecologically fragile areas. The exercise seeks to assess existing boundaries and regulations to ensure that conservation goals do not unduly hinder the livelihoods of people living nearby.
Officials said the review will involve consultations with forest officials, local representatives and community groups to identify overlaps between protected zones and development needs. Adjustments, if any, will be guided by scientific assessments and socio‑economic data.
The move reflects a broader effort by the state to balance biodiversity preservation with sustainable development, acknowledging that both objectives are essential for the region's long‑term resilience.
Officials said the review will involve consultations with forest officials, local representatives and community groups to identify overlaps between protected zones and development needs. Adjustments, if any, will be guided by scientific assessments and socio‑economic data.
The move reflects a broader effort by the state to balance biodiversity preservation with sustainable development, acknowledging that both objectives are essential for the region's long‑term resilience.