New Delh: Areas surrounding Sikkim’s three sanctuaries, which are home to carnivores, herbivores, birds and magnificent rhododendron forests, will soon be declared as Eco-Sensitive Zones by the Centre.
The Union Environment Ministry today issued draft notifications inviting suggestions on the proposals to declare environmentally-fragile areas surrounding the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kitam Bird Sanctuary and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary as Eco-Sensitive Zones.
The move is aimed at conserving and protecting the ecologically-fragile areas bordering these sanctuaries from developmental activities like mining.
Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is a trans-boundary protected area in the West District of Sikkim bordering Nepal.
The sanctuary, spread over an area of 104 sq.km, is a rich storehouse of flora. Kitam Bird Sanctuary in South Sikkim harbours a unique association of Sal and Chir Pine forests which nestle a large number of peafowl, the national bird and common leopard, Assamese macaque and other animals. (PTI)