Jamshedpur, Aug 2: XLRI Jamshedpur and the Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Jharkhand entered into an MOU on August 2 to prepare “Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) for the Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary”.
The MoU was signed in the forest department office near Sonari Sai Mandir, Jamshedpur. Present on the occasion were Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari and XLRI Director Father S George, S J.
The event witnessed the presence of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) SR Natesha, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Singhbhum Smita Pankaj, DFO Dalma cum Jamshedpur Saba Alam Ansari, and other officials.
As per the terms of the MoU, XLRI will be submitting comprehensive report within a span of two years.
The ESZ of Dalma wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 522.98 square kilometres, comprising 136 villages in Patamda, Jamshedpur and Golmuri blocks of East Singhbhum district and Chandil and Nimdih blocks of Saraikela- Kharsawan district.
The central government has declared the famous sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone, leading to extensive planning over the years for the development of approximately 136 villages and the local population.
Inclusion in this zone means that commercial mining, mills, and industries will be prohibited within the sanctuary’s boundaries to prevent damage to the park and its wildlife.
The Eco-sensitive Zone designation applies to areas within a 10 km radius of national parks or wildlife sanctuaries.
XLRI will prepare a futuristic ZMP that will strive to strike a balance between the ecological security of Dalma WLS, and the economic and social well-being aspirations of the local stakeholders that will lead to Sustainable Development in the region.
XLRI will prepare the ZMP through a highly inclusive, consultative, consensus building process involving a wide range of stakeholder interactions with: Gram Sabhas; villagers; stakeholders in the ESZ; State Departments of Forest & Environment; Urban Development; Tourism; Local Urban Bodies, Urban authorities; Revenue; Agriculture; Irrigation; Ground Water etc.
The master plan’s primary goal is to preserve forests and reduce human-animal conflict.
XLRI will deploy household and village surveys, Remote Sensing & GIS (Geographic Information System) and advanced data analytics in preparing the ZMP.
Activities in an SEZ come under Prohibited, Permitted and Regulated categories. While preparing the ZMP, XLRI will diligently follow all the guidelines, and directives as issued by MOEFCC, and the Supreme Court of India from time to time.
The ZMP will be prepared within 2 years by Fr. Arrupe Centre for Ecology & Sustainability, a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence at XLRI Jamshedpur. Prof. Raghu Ram Tata will be the Principal Investigator for the project.
