Recently, The central government has declared 26 villages kashmir valley as ESZ. These Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) falls in Pulwama and Anantnag districts in the Kashmir valley and the primary objective of this move of central government is to ensure protection and conservation of the endangered Hangul stag which is also known as kashmir stag in Tral Wildlife Sanctuary. This declaration includes a complete ban on the construction of major industrial units and infrastructure projects in these villages. The central government declared these 26 villages as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
The Tral Wildlife Sanctuary forms an important corridor for the movement of Hangul. The declaration of the eco-sensitive zone shall help in creating a buffer around the sanctuary area, leading to a secure, suitable, and viable habitat for the last remnant Hangul population. The Sanctuary is among the few areas outside Dachigam National Park where a population of the critically endangered stag still survives. Besides Dachigam, the sanctuary is connected with other important wildlife areas, such as Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary and Khrew Conservation Reserve.
The ESZ Notification does not involve displacement and evacuation of farmers/people living in the villages. The activities in the ESZ are generally regulated and not prohibitory in nature barring a few such as (i) commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units; (ii) major hydroelectric project; (iii) handling of hazardous substances; (iv) discharge of untreated effluents; (v) setting up of brick kilns; (vi) setting up of polluting industries, which have high potential for environmental damage. As such, there is no prohibition on ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, dairy farming, aquaculture, fisheries, poultry farm, goat farm, food related units etc. Further, the activities like infrastructure augmentation including civic amenities, widening of roads, non-polluting industries etc. are also under regulated category.
No new commercial construction of any kind is permitted within one Kilometre from the boundary of the Protected Area or up to extent of the Eco-Sensitive Zone whichever is nearer. However, there is no restriction for local people, they may undertake construction in their land for their use.