Govt received 201 proposals for Railway, highway projects in ESZs

India's growth story is inextricably linked to its infrastructure development. The news of 201 proposals for railway and highway projects within Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) brings to the fore a perennial dilemma: how to balance the imperative of development with the critical need for environmental conservation. This issue is not merely an administrative challenge but a profound question of sustainable development, impacting India's ecological future and economic trajectory.

To understand this, we must first grasp the concept of Eco-Sensitive Zones. ESZs are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Their primary purpose is to act as a buffer zone around Protected Areas (National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries), providing a transition area from high protection to lesser protection. The activities within these zones are regulated to minimize the negative impacts on the fragile ecosystems of the protected areas. The idea gained prominence after the Supreme Court's directives in the early 2000s, pushing the government to declare such zones around all protected areas to safeguard biodiversity and ecological processes.

India, a developing nation, has a colossal need for robust infrastructure. Railways and highways are the arteries of its economy, facilitating trade, connecting remote regions, and improving livelihoods. The government's ambitious targets for infrastructure expansion, such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, underscore this drive. However, as available land becomes scarcer and development penetrates deeper into previously untouched regions, the overlap with environmentally sensitive areas becomes inevitable. The 201 proposals are a testament to this ongoing challenge, highlighting that crucial developmental projects often intersect with areas designated for ecological protection.

Several key stakeholders are involved in navigating this complex landscape. The **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)** is the primary custodian of environmental regulations, responsible for declaring ESZs and granting environmental clearances. The **Ministry of Railways** and the **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways** are the proponents of these infrastructure projects, driven by mandates for connectivity and economic growth. **State Governments** play a crucial role in land acquisition, local planning, and implementing central directives. **Local communities**, particularly tribal populations and forest dwellers, are often directly impacted by such projects, facing displacement or loss of livelihood. **Environmental activists and NGOs** act as watchdogs, advocating for stricter adherence to environmental norms and often resorting to legal challenges. Finally, the **judiciary**, particularly the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court, plays a vital role in interpreting environmental laws and ensuring accountability.

This issue holds immense significance for India. Economically, well-planned infrastructure can boost GDP, create jobs, and enhance national integration. However, if undertaken without adequate environmental safeguards, it can lead to irreversible ecological damage, loss of biodiversity, increased human-wildlife conflict, and degradation of ecosystem services like clean air and water, which ultimately have significant economic costs. Socially, it affects the rights and livelihoods of indigenous communities, often leading to protests and social unrest. Politically, it tests the government's commitment to sustainable development and its ability to balance competing interests. India is also a signatory to international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), which necessitate a careful approach to development in sensitive areas.

The constitutional framework for environmental protection in India is robust. **Article 48A** of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) mandates that "The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country." While not directly enforceable, it guides state action. More significantly, **Article 51A(g)**, a Fundamental Duty, states that "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India... to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures." Beyond these, critical legislation includes the **Environment (Protection) Act, 1986**, which empowers the central government to take measures to protect and improve the environment; the **Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972**, for safeguarding wildlife and their habitats; and the **Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980**, regulating the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. Any major project in an ESZ requires a rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and clearance from the MoEFCC, often involving public hearings and expert appraisals.

The historical context shows a gradual but significant evolution of environmental consciousness in India. Post the Stockholm Conference of 1972, India enacted its seminal environmental laws. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 further spurred the enactment of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The concept of ESZs itself emerged from judicial activism and a growing understanding of ecological interconnectedness. The future implications of these 201 proposals are profound. Each proposal will undergo scrutiny, potentially leading to modifications, rejections, or conditional clearances. This process will highlight the efficacy of India's EIA regime, the strength of its environmental governance, and the capacity for integrating green technologies and eco-friendly construction practices. It could also lead to increased litigation, further shaping environmental jurisprudence. Ultimately, these projects will serve as a litmus test for India's commitment to 'Green Growth' and 'Sustainable Development' goals, ensuring that progress does not come at an irreversible ecological cost.