Gujarat's eco-tourism policy is still awaiting implementation after 16 years

Gujarat has 28 protected areas including four national parks, one conservation reserve, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries

The state government formulated the Gujarat Eco-Tourism Policy in 2007

Updated: Sep 17th, 2023

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A wildlife-rich Gujarat seeks attention when it comes to taking care of its sanctuaries and surrounding forests. The policies await years for implementation and the regulations that are currently in place are reportedly violated frequently.

Plastic products, banned in the sanctuaries by the government, can be seen on the roads, putting wildlife in danger. A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found the forest department and state government at fault for such a state of affairs.

The eco-tourism policy of 2007

The state government formulated the Gujarat Eco-Tourism Policy in 2007 but even after 16 years, it does not seem to have been fully implemented. Unregulated tourism is still prevalent and encouraged at these places.

Incidents of logging in forests are increasing. Wildlife populations are declining as habitats for wildlife are being depleted.

The CAG report concluded that even though the state budget has expanded, the forest department has received only 0.78% of the budget for wildlife.

In the last five years, the government had given this department a budget of only ₹6,748.13 crore, but the statistics show that the department spent ₹6,163.69 crore.

Gujarat has 28 protected areas including four national parks, one conservation reserve, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. The total protected area is 17,099.93 sq kilometres of which 4,640.58 sq kilometres, i.e. 17.45% is forest land and the rest is non-forest environment which mostly includes the Kutch desert.

Most affected places because of the neglect

Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Plains in Jessore have turned into a thorny forest, according to reports. The area covering the main forest has been damaged. Wildlife habitat degradation has led to a decline in the wildlife population. The natural vegetation species have dried down and the arid land doesn’t seem fit for any growth on it.

Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary

Indigenous plant species are under threat in Balaram, too. Prosopis and Lantana, the invasive species, have not been removed. Fruit-bearing trees that are indigenous to the place are nowhere to be found.

Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary

The habitat suitable for the land animals is shrinking in Jambughoda day by day. Invasive species have not been removed from the land, and no plans for rejuvenation of the flora and fauna are in sight.

Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Like the aforementioned places, the invasive species has not been removed by the authorities. The place doesn’t look fit to meet the needs of a sloth bear’s needs. Plastic bottles and food wrappers can be seen everywhere in the sanctuary.

Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

The beauty of the meadows in Shoolpaneshwar is fading away due to infestation. Cleaning of 170 hectares is required here every year.

Purna Wildlife Sanctuary

A pit dug for temporary storage of waste at the Mahal site is filled with plastic waste, awaiting the authorities’ attention.

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