Eco Sensitive Zones (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Ecological well-being of Jammu & Kashmir stands at a critical juncture

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is also an ecologically sensitive region.
• The Centre said 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country in J&K in February

About Eco-Sensitive Zones

• The Indian Government designates Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
• ESZ could go up to 10 Km around Protected Areas.
• Prohibited Activities: Mining, sawmills, the establishment of major hydroelectric projects, commercial use of wood, Tourism

About Lithium 

• Lithium (Li), which is sometimes called 'White gold' because it's in high demand for rechargeable batteries, is a soft, shiny, white metal.
• In normal situations, it's the lightest metal and the lightest solid element.
• Countries with Largest Reserves: Chile> Australia> Argentina are the top countries with Li reserves.
• There are around 14,100 tonnes of Li reserves in a small area of land that was examined in the Mandya district of Southern Karnataka.
• The GSI has identified around 5.9 million tonnes of inferred Lithium resources (G3) in the Salal-Haimana region of the Jammu & Kashmir UT.
• Other Li Reserves in India: Mica belts in Rajasthan, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh.
• Pegmatite belts in Odisha and Chhattisgarh & Rann of Kutch in Gujrat.