Ahmedabad: The state govt is likely to relax conditions under the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Gir, allowing — with safeguards — mechanised farming, farm fencing, and well construction. The relaxations are being considered after farmers raised concerns about restrictions on routine agricultural activities.However, officials said that there is no possibility of reducing the ESZ for Gir sanctuary itself. According to the 2025 census, Gujarat has 891 lions spread across 30,000 sq km in the Saurashtra region.The proposed ESZ covers 2,061.8 sq km around the Gir Protected Area, with its extent ranging from 2.8km to 9.5km. In comparison, the area gazetted in 2016 ranged from 0-17.9km. Govt is not proposing a change in the extent; the latest exercise focuses on relaxing conditions applicable to farmers.The proposed relaxations will be incorporated in a report before the final proposal is sent to the Centre for approval. Officials said tractors and other farm machinery could be permitted to run in the area, while fencing may be allowed. Barbed wire will stay banned.Officials said that wells could also be allowed subject to safety conditions. Farmers will have to build parapets around wells to prevent lions from accidentally falling in.The decisions followed a meeting of forest and environment officials with legislators to discuss difficulties faced by farmers. Minister of state for forest and environment Pravin Mali said the meeting was held as the matter was pending before court.The ESZ proposal has triggered opposition in villages across Gir-Somnath, Junagadh, and Amreli. Farmers have raised concerns over possible restrictions on cultivation, farm construction, electricity connections, and fencing.The state govt has maintained that routine farming activities such as using tractors, digging wells, obtaining electricity connections, and moving within agricultural lands would not be prohibited.Mali said those who had already submitted claims would not face any difficulties. “If there has been any misunderstanding, we will sit together and resolve it,” he said.Pointers:Easing agri activities, with safeguardsThe proposed relaxations apply to areas around GirOfficials said tractors and other farm machinery could be permitted to run in the areaFencing of farmlands may also be allowedBarbed wire will stay bannedNo relaxation applies to Gir sanctuary itself
