T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The learned ASG has informed us that there are 104 National Parks and 558 Wildlife Sanctuaries making a total of 662 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in the country. The proposals for declaring areas around these National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries as Eco Sensitive Zone have been received from State Governments / UT Administrations for 641 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. No proposals have been received in respect of 21 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The proposals have been accepted and Notification has been issued in respect of 289 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries as on 26/11/2018 and draft Notification has been prepared in respect of 206 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The declaration with regard to Eco Sensitive Zone is under process with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF) as well as with the State Governments in respect of 146 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

(2.) We expect the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to actively pursue the preparation of the draft Notification and to issue a final Notification at the earliest.

(3.) The proposals for 21 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in respect of which proposals have not yet been received by the MOEF are as follows:-