Jaipur: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a draft notification for the declaration of an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) surrounding the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi district, Rajasthan. The draft has been opened for public consultation for a period of 60 days, during which stakeholders and residents of the 184 villages falling within the proposed ESZ can submit objections or suggestions.Declared as India’s 52nd tiger reserve on May 22, 2022, the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve comprises two core areas: Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Core-I) and a part of the National Chambal Sanctuary (Core-II). The proposed ESZ covers 89 villages surrounding the Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and 95 villages around the National Chambal Sanctuary.As per the draft, the ESZ will extend uniformly for one km around the boundary of Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and from one km to 14.79 km from the boundary of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The ESZ around Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary also serves as the buffer zone for the tiger reserve. Notably, no ESZ has been proposed towards Jetpur and Luharpur, as this region abuts the proposed ESZ of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR-I, Sawai Madhopur).The total area proposed to be designated as ESZ spans 1,215.96 sq km—comprising 930.47 sq km around the Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and 285.49 sq km around the National Chambal Sanctuary.With this notification, certain activities will now be regulated within the ESZ to enhance conservation efforts. For example, new construction of hotels and resorts will not be permitted within 1 km of the tiger reserve boundary or up to the extent of the ESZ, whichever is nearer.Explaining the rationale for protection, officials stated that the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve covers an area of 1,501.8921 sq km and is located adjacent to Bundi city, which lies about 35 kms from Kota. The area is home to historical landmarks such as the Ramgarh Palace, and two prominent temples—Vishdhari Temple on the northern boundary and Rameshwar Mahadev Temple in the north-western part of the sanctuary.Ramgarh is considered a key breeding ground for tigers and supports the spillover population from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. It also serves as a crucial wildlife corridor connecting the forests of Ranthambore and Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserves.“The Mez River flows through the Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, passing by the historic Ramgarh Mahal. This river is considered the lifeline of the sanctuary. Numerous seasonal streams (nallas) crisscross the landscape, ensuring year-round water availability. The sanctuary hosts a variety of micro and macro habitats, supporting a rich diversity of medicinal plants and wildlife species in the region,” added officials.
