The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently mandated the classification of Nainital town into prohibited, regulated, and development zones due to concerns over environmental sensitivity, particularly in light of unauthorized tree cutting and the ecological degradation affecting Naini Lake.
Key Highlights of the Order
- Zoning Classification: Nainital to be classified into development, prohibited, and regulated zones based on environmental conditions.
- Catchment Area Treatment: The Uttarakhand government is directed to implement plans for the rehabilitation of natural lakes through catchment area treatment.
- Rehabilitation of Lakes: The Uttarakhand government is directed to implement catchment area treatment plans for lakes in the district to restore ecological balance.
Recommendations from the Tribunal
- Monitoring Mechanism: Formation of multi-district committees including officials, experts, and local representatives to oversee the management of designated zones.
- Carrying Capacity Assessment: Determination of the town’s carrying capacity, considering factors such as-
- Hydrology
- Drainage and sanitation load
- Vegetation
- Current tourism trends
- Master Plans: Development of master plans for Pangot and other tourist destinations within Nainital and surrounding districts.
About the Carrying Capacity
- It refers to the maximum population an area can sustain relative to available resources.
Factors Influencing Carrying Capacity:
- Biotic Factors: Vegetation, hydrology
- Abiotic Factors: Terrain, climate
Assessment Approaches to Assessing Carrying Capacity:
- Planetary Boundaries Approach: Focuses on addressing environmental crises such as global warming, land degradation, pollution, and water stress.
- Biocapacity Overshoot Approach: Measures the demand humans place on Earth’s systems, considering total annual productivity and sustainability, exemplified by concepts like Earth Overshoot Day.
Significance of the Order:
- The NGT’s directives aim to balance developmental governance with sustainability, providing a framework for addressing environmental challenges while supporting tourism in Nainital.
Ref: Source
| UPSC IAS Preparation Resources | |
| Current Affairs Analysis | Topperspedia |
| GS Shots | Simply Explained |
| Daily Flash Cards | Daily Quiz |
Frequently Asked Question:
What zoning classifications has NGT mandated for Nainital?
NGT ordered Nainital to be classified into prohibited, regulated, and development zones based on environmental sensitivity.
Why did NGT issue this zoning classification for Nainital?
The classification aims to prevent unauthorized tree cutting and ecological degradation affecting Naini Lake and the surrounding environment.
What is catchment area treatment, and why is it important for Nainital?
Catchment area treatment involves rehabilitation efforts for natural lakes to restore ecological balance and protect water resources.
What is the significance of carrying capacity assessment for Nainital?
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population Nainital can support, considering factors like hydrology, vegetation, and tourism trends.
What are the NGT’s recommendations for monitoring the designated zones?
The NGT recommends forming multi-district committees of experts and local officials to monitor zone management and ensure compliance.