PARASNATH HILLS - ENVIRONMENT

News: Following protests, Centre stops tourism projects in Jharkhand’s Parasnath

 

What's in the news?

       The Union Environment Ministry on January 5 withdrew permission for tourism and eco-tourism activities in the vicinity of the Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Jharkhand.

 

Key takeaways:

       A long-standing proposal by the Jharkhand Government to develop the Parasnath Hills in Jharkhand as an eco-tourism site.

       However, the location is of significant religious importance to Jains.

 

Eco-sensitive zone:

       The centre declared areas around the Parasnath wildlife sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone in 2019.

       The eco-sensitive zone, according to provisions of the Environment Protection Act, is a buffer zone surrounding a ‘Protected Area.’

       Clause 3 of Environment Protection Act - allowing tourism activites in the eco-sensitive zones unlike protected zones, where there is no scope for tourism.

 

Parasnath Hills:

       It is located towards the eastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Giridih district of the Indian state of Jharkhand.

       Named after Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara.

       On the mountain, there are Shikharji Jain temples, an important tirthakahetra.

       At 1365m Parasnath is the highest mountain peak in the state of Jharkhand.

       It is a major pilgrimage site. Out of 24 thirthankaras of Jains, 20 got nirvana on Parasnath hills.