Context

The famous Tal Chhapar blackbuck sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Churu district has received a protective cover against a proposed move of the State government to reduce the size of its eco-sensitive zone.

The matter:

• Tal Chhapar’s area was going to be reduced to three sq. km. under pressure from mine owners and stone crusher operators.
• To protect the sanctuary, the Rajasthan High Court ordered a “complete prohibition” on any action to reduce the wildlife sanctuary’s area.
• The court directed to complete the formalities for the declaration of the eco-sensitive zone surrounding Tal Chhapar at the earliest.

The Tal Chhapar Sanctuary:

• The Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is known as the home of blackbuck and a variety of birds in Rajasthan.
• It is located in the Churu districtof Northwestern Rajasthan, in the Shekhawati region of India.
• The sanctuary is flanked by the Great India Desert, Thar and boasts a unique ecosystem and is an important birdwatching destination in India.
• Migratory birds in the sanctuary:Raptors, Harriers, eastern imperial eagles, tawny eagles, short-toed eagles, sparrows, and little green bee-eaters, black ibis and demoiselle cranes, whereas skylarks, crested larks, ring doves, and brown doves are seen round the year.
  • The raptors, which include predators and scavengers, are on top of the food chain and control the populations of small mammals, birds and reptiles as well as insects.

• Fauna:Desert foxes and desert cats can be spotted in the sanctuary.

Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZs):

• As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016),issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, land within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are to be notified as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ).
• While the 10-km ruleis implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary.
• Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors.”
• The Eco-Sensitive Zones are envisaged as a cushion or shock absorbers for ‘protected areas’.

Threats:

• increase in human population around the sanctuary
• unplanned and rampant construction activities
• Hyper-aridity
• Grazing pressure
• Invasive weed Prosopis juliflora
• Salt mines in the vicinity