India's Hydrocarbon Outlook – 2022-2023

177 DGH: 3 DECADES OF UNLOCKING INDIA'S HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL 8.3 Advances vis-à-vis Protected Areas: Protected Ares or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the MoEF&CC stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or ESZs (Eco Sensitive Zones) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. While the 10 km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union Govt as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors”. The basic aim is to regulate these activities around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries so as to minimize the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas. However, lately, Supreme Court in June 2022, directed that every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary across the country should have a mandated eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of a minimum one (01) km starting from their demarcated boundaries. DGH has however been instrumental in pursuing the notification of 36 ESZs across India which have wells in their vicinity. This has given a boost to the E&P industry in producing the deliverables. 8.4 Coordination with State Governments: DGH has pursued the delayed clearances (environment, forest and wildlife, CRZ) with the various State Governments and has been quite instrumental in facilitation of grant of 147 clearances i.e., a 35% liquidation in pendency in the year 2022. There are 95 cases where DGH is continuing its endeavours in facilitation of the approvals from State and Centre. The states that have been pursued rigorously are: • Assam • Tripura • Arunachal Pradesh • Andhra Pradesh • Gujarat • Madhya Pradesh