The mapping of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary in the Ganga, spanning Prayagraj, Bhadohi and Mirzapur, has been completed, paving the way for a new conservation and management roadmap for the 30-km stretch.
It is also expected to reduce disputes and confusion over the extent of restrictions on construction, agriculture and basic infrastructure in areas surrounding the sanctuary. Under the procedure for notifying an ESZ, the state forest department, in coordination with the district administration, prepares a proposal for demarcation. The proposal is examined by the National Board for Wildlife’s standing committee, which makes recommendations to the state government. The Union environment, forest and climate change ministry subsequently issues the final notification.
The sanctuary, notified in 2020 to conserve aquatic biodiversity in the Ganga, provides a habitat to several threatened turtle species, including the striped roofed turtle, black-spotted turtle, softshell turtle, red-crowned roofed turtle and brown roofed turtle.
Prayagraj divisional forest officer (DFO) Arvind Kumar said the mapping was carried out to strike a balance between conservation of aquatic wildlife and local development. “It will help identify the area around the sanctuary that needs protection to ensure turtle habitats and other aquatic species are not adversely affected,” he said. Officials said precise mapping would help identify riverbanks, erosion-prone areas, forests and wetlands requiring protection from pollution and unregulated human activity. Officials said the final notification of the ESZ would provide a clearer legal framework for protecting the sanctuary while allowing regulated development in areas where it is considered compatible with conservation.
