From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 20: Karnataka’s Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai will be heading a panel on demarcating the eco-sensitive zones of national marks and wildlife sanctuaries in the State.
 
The State Cabinet at its meeting on Thursday, decided to constitute the panel as per the directions of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and states to demarcate 10-km zone in national parks as buffer zone.

The authorities had so far demarcated a 2-km zone around the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which led to a total ban on quarrying within the zone and other activities.

There are five national parks and 27 wildlife sanctuaries in the State.

The Cabinet sub-committee would study and prepare a report demarcating eco-sensitive zones of other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The report would be sent to the Centre for demarcating boundaries, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayanchadra told s after the reporters  after the cabinet meeting.

The boundary of eco-sensitive zones vary from one wildlife sanctuary to another.

Commercial mining, setting up of industries causing pollution, commercial use of firewood, establishment of hydro-electric projects, use or production of any hazardous substances, tourism activities and discharge of effluents are prohibited in the eco-sensitive zones as per the guidelines of the Centre,  he said.

A member of the Anglo-Indian community would be nominated to the Legislative Assembly shortly and the State Cabinet empowered the Chief Minister to select the candidate, he said.