The Environment Ministry on Wednesday issued a draft notification declaring 70 sq km around Kerala’s Eravikulam National Park and four adjoining protected areas as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The four adjoining protected areas are Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamudi Shola National Park, Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary and Pambadum Shola National Park.ESZs are areas notified by the Environment Ministry around protected areas, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to create a kind of “shock absorber” for these areas by regulating and managing activities around the region.“It is necessary to conserve and protect the area, surrounding the boundaries of Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamudi Shola National Park, Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary and Pambadum Shola National Park, as ESZ from the ecological, environmental and biodiversity point of view,” said the draft notification.The ESZ shall extend from zero to 1 km around the boundaries of the Eravikulam National Park and the protected areas. The ministry has invited comments from stakeholders over the next 60 days. Published - June 10, 2026 08:33 pm IST