In India, the Supreme Court has expressed surprise at the Center's decision to reduce the scope of ecologically sensitive areas from 10 kilometers to 100 meters.

At the same time, the apex court has said that it is fully arbitrary use of powers that can destroy national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country.

This is a court comment in a case challenging the grant of environmental clearance to an industrial unit situated within a radius of 10 kilometers of Dadar and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary.

A bench comprising Supreme Court Justice MB Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta said that it is very surprising that the Ministry of Environment has reduced the scope of the ecologically sensitive area from 10 Km to 100 meters. Since such an order is capable of destroying national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country, we would like to investigate the legality of this deduction (within the scope of the area).

The Supreme Court said that at first sight we feel that this is a completely arbitrary use of powers by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The bench linked this issue to other issues related to environmental issues, which have been listed for hearing on Monday.

The Supreme Court asked Additional Solicitor General, ANS Nandkarni, appearing on behalf of the Center, whether the government wants to destroy the country's wildlife, reserve forests, rivers and sanctuaries?

The bench said, "You (center) will have to agree us on this point that how do you intend to conserve wildlife, environment? Is the concept of protected area now becoming irrelevant?"

It is worth mentioning that the Wildlife Conservation Strategy adopted by the Wildlife Board of India in 2002, it was said that the land falling within a radius of 10 kms of National Park / Wildlife Sanctuaries under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, ecologically fragile areas ( Eco Fragile Zone) should be notified.

However, since 2015, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has reduced the scope of buffer zone from 10 kilometers to 100 meters through several notifications.

The National Green Tribunal had banned the construction of 49 residential projects being built in 10 kilometers of Okhla Bird Sanctuary in 2013. It also pulled down the Noida Authority and the Ministry of Environment and Forests for failing to take action against those who violated the rules.

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