Parvati–Arga Sanctuary Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone

Why in News ?

The Parvati–Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh has been declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by the Government. The move aims to strengthen ecological protection around the sanctuary by regulating developmental and human activities in its surrounding areas.

Background & Context

India’s protected areas face growing pressure from urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, pollution, and land-use change. To address these challenges, the government has increasingly relied on Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) as a regulatory buffer around ecologically important regions.

Wetlands such as Parvati–Arga play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, groundwater recharge, and migratory bird habitats. Declaring an ESZ around such areas aligns with India’s commitments under global biodiversity and wetland conservation frameworks, including the Ramsar Convention.

About Parvati–Arga Bird Sanctuary

Location

• Situated in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh

Ecological Features

• A permanent freshwater wetland system
• Comprises two oxbow lakes:
  • Parvati Lake
  • Arga Lake
• Represents a typical Indo-Gangetic floodplain ecosystem

Ramsar Status

• Designated as a Ramsar Site, recognising its international importance as a wetland ecosystem

Flora of the Sanctuary

• Vegetation is representative of the Indo-Gangetic ecosystem
• Supports aquatic plants, wetland grasses, and surrounding riparian vegetation
• Presence of invasive species, notably:
  • Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which threatens native biodiversity and water quality

Faunal Significance

Avifauna

The sanctuary is particularly important for threatened vulture species, including:

• Critically Endangered
  • White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
  • Indian vulture (Gyps indicus)
• Endangered
  • Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Ecological Importance

• Provides nesting and foraging grounds for resident and migratory birds
• Acts as a key habitat for scavenger species crucial for ecosystem health

What is an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)?

Definition

• Also known as Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs)
• Areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around:
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • Protected Areas

Purpose of Declaring ESZs

• To act as shock absorbers for protected areas by regulating human activities
• To minimise habitat degradation due to industrialisation, mining, and urban expansion
• To serve as a transition zone between:
  • Areas of high ecological protection
  • Areas with controlled and sustainable human use

Extent of Eco-Sensitive Zones

• ESZs can extend up to 10 km around a protected area
• The actual extent depends on:
  • Ecological sensitivity
  • Local geography
  • Anthropogenic pressures

Significance of ESZ Status for Parvati–Arga Sanctuary

Environmental Protection

• Regulates construction, polluting industries, and land-use change
• Protects wetland ecology and bird habitats

Biodiversity Conservation

• Enhances protection for critically endangered vulture species
• Helps control invasive species and habitat degradation

Sustainable Development

• Balances conservation with livelihoods of local communities
• Encourages eco-friendly activities and sustainable tourism

Challenges and Way Ahead

Challenges

• Encroachment and pollution from nearby settlements
• Spread of invasive species like water hyacinth
• Enforcement gaps in ESZ regulations

Way Forward

• Strengthen monitoring and local governance mechanisms
• Community participation in wetland conservation
• Scientific management of invasive species
• Integration of wetland conservation with district-level planning