Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone | 23 Jan 2026

Why in News? 

The Central Government has notified the area around Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). 

Key Points 

• Notifying Authority: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) 
• Location: Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Aravalli mountain range of Rajasthan. 
  • Districts Covered: Udaipur, Pali, Rajsamand 
• Eco-Sensitive Zone Coverage: The notified ESZ extends from 0 to 1 km from the boundary of the sanctuary. 
  • Covering an area of about 243 sq km and including around 94 villages. 
• Objective of ESZ: To act as a buffer zone between the protected forest and surrounding human habitation, ensuring biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, and ecological balance. 
• Restricted Activities: Activities such as commercial mining, polluting industries, brick kilns, and new large-scale construction (resorts/hotels) are prohibited or strictly regulated within the ESZ. 
  • Agriculture, horticulture, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly tourism may be allowed under strict environmental norms. 
• Ecological Significance: The sanctuary supports wildlife like leopard, striped hyena, jungle cat, Indian pangolin, nilgai, and chinkara, making it ecologically crucial. 
• Administrative Authority: The notification has been issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).