The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and Rainmatter Foundation invite you to the inaugural discussion of THE GREEN MANDATE Season 3, focusing on ‘The ESA/ ESZ Approach in Ecosystem Conservation’.
Mr Brij Kishore Singh, IFS (Retd), former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) in Karnataka, and Ms Prakriti Srivastava, IFS (Retd), former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Kerala, will be in conversation with Debadityo Sinha, Lead – Climate & Ecosystems, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
The discussion will take place in Lecture Room II (Basement), India International Centre-Annexe, New Delhi, on 12th September 2024 from 18:00 Hours IST.
About the Discussion
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) have become vital tools for conserving critical ecosystems and wildlife habitats in human-dominated landscapes outside Protected Areas (Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks). Both ESAs and ESZs are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, in consultation with the relevant State Governments. ESA or ESZ notifications categorise activities into prohibited, regulated, and permitted to manage developmental activities within the notified areas. Each ESA and ESZ has specific guidelines and master plans published separately.
ESZs are designated for areas adjacent to Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks to act as protective buffers, while ESAs can be established in any geographic location of significant ecological value, not limited to zones around Sanctuaries and National Parks. Notable ESAs include Doon Valley (1989), Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (2001), Mount Abu (2005), and Bhagirathi (2012). Recently, the MoEFCC has released a Draft ESA for the Western Ghats, currently under public consultation. Additionally, ESZs have been notified for 352 Protected Areas, with Draft ESZs for 69 more under consideration.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion with two distinguished Indian Forest Services (IFS) officers, retired from top positions in State Forest Departments, as they share their insights into the evolution, implementation, and impact of ESZs and ESAs on the conservation of India’s diverse ecosystems.
About the Speakers
Brij Kishore Singh is a retired Indian Forest Service officer with nearly 38 years of dedicated service in Karnataka and a tenure with the Government of India. Throughout his career, he held prominent positions, including Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) in Karnataka. Notably, during his time as Deputy Conservator of Forests in Kollegal (1988-1991), he played a key role in the Veerappan manhunt, one of the largest operations by the Forest and Police Departments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Following his retirement in 2013, Singh served as a consultant for the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, and the Wildlife Institute of India, contributing to Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) across India’s Protected Areas. He is also an international reviewer for WWF’s Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS), with experience reviewing sites in India and Malaysia.
Singh is an accomplished author, having penned four books on forestry and conservation, where he draws from his extensive experiences in Karnataka’s forests. His writings have been featured in national dailies such as Deccan Herald and The Pioneer, and in various forestry magazines including My Forest, Indian Forester, and Van Premi. His work sheds light on the challenges faced by India’s forests, particularly in the Western Ghats, and critiques the legal and illegal exploitation that has occurred over the years. He was also one of the members of Vidhi’s 18-member High-Level Working Group on the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023, which submitted its report to the Parliamentary Committee.
Prakriti Srivastava is a retired Indian Forest Service officer from the 1990 Kerala cadre with a distinguished career in forestry and conservation. Throughout her service, she held six territorial posts, including some of Kerala’s most challenging divisions such as Wayanad, Palghat, and Munnar. Srivastava tackled issues like timber and sandalwood smuggling, human-wildlife conflict, and encroachments, leading efforts that resulted in the closure of illicit sandalwood factories and the notification of new National Parks in Munnar.
As Conservator of Ecologically Fragile Lands, she was instrumental in framing the Kerala Ecologically Fragile Lands Act, 2005, and later, as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, she introduced scientific evaluations of carrying capacity for ecotourism. Under her leadership as Managing Director, the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) reversed significant losses, achieving a historic profit. Srivastava also initiated a scholarship fund for tribal girls, directly benefiting numerous students pursuing higher education.
In her role as Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife) at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), she led the drafting of the Wildlife Protection Bill 2013 and was involved in key international conventions such as CITES, CMS, CBD, etc. She played a pivotal role in framing guidelines for ESZs around Protected Areas and contributed to the Gadgil Committee as an expert on ESZs. Her efforts also led to securing enhanced funding for voluntary relocation from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a model for non-Tiger Reserve areas. She also served as Director (Administration) and In-charge of ED and FIU administration in the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India from 2013 to 2016.
Srivastava’s final posting as PCCF & Special Officer for Rebuild Kerala saw her successfully facilitate the voluntary relocation of 640 families, adding 150 hectares to forest land. Recognised as one of the 10 most inspiring bureaucrats of 2023 by Indian Masterminds, her contributions have left a lasting impact on conservation and sustainable development.
About The Green Mandate
THE GREEN MANDATE is a platform for in-depth conversations on issues affecting current conservation challenges and aims to develop a more profound public discourse on the legal and policy aspects of conservation. Watch the previous two seasons of The Green Mandate here.
The Climate and Ecosystems team at Vidhi is supported by the Rainmatter Foundation and Sandeep Singhal.
Schedule
12th September 2024, Thursday, 18.00-19.30 HRS (IST)
Lecture Room II (Basement) at India International Centre-Annexe, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi 110003
17.30 hrs: High Tea
18.00 hrs: Introduction of the Speakers
18.10 hrs: Moderated Discussion with the Panellists
19.00 hrs: Q&A Session with Audience
19.30 hrs: Vote of Thanks
The event is open to all, but prior registration is recommended. Fill out the form here to RSVP. The event will not be live-streamed.