A 10-km stretch around the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary has been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) as per the Supreme Court guidelines for conserving wildlife. Nal Sarovar sanctuary is spread over 120 sq km and thus a total of 197 sq km on its periphery will be declared as eco-sensitive, which means all activity that could harm the sanctuary will be prevented. The SC has in a recent order directed state governments to identify suitable sites and declare them as ESZ which will protect important migratory corridors for wildlife. The ESZ would help maintain the water table in the area and protect the environment. Officials said that extraction of groundwater shall be permitted only for bonafide agricultural and domestic consumption of the occupier of the plot after obtaining permission from the State Ground Water Board and no sale of groundwater will be permitted. Use of plastics within the ESZ would be regulated by the monitoring committee. BB Modi, deputy conservator of forest, Nal Sarovar said that the 197 sq km area has been earmarked as ESZ where mining or industry, which can pollute the water body, would not be permitted. No even construction or felling of trees would be allowed. Officials said, "ESZ allows the department to legally enforce sustainable land use over larger landscapes, something that is not available within the provisions of the present Wildlife Protection Act. An ESZ can be used as a complementary tool of conservation along with protected areas. This ESZ could be a vital lifeline, particularly for the areas buffering our protected areas and in protecting important migratory corridors.' Forest officials say all the sanctuaries in the state would have their own ESZ. Officials said that till the Central government approves the ESZ, there shall be no increase in the existing parameters of permissible floor area ratio, permissible height, permissible maximum number of storeys and permissible ground coverage; and there shall also be no reduction in the Forest Zone, Green Zone, Agricultural Zone. The ESZ also restricts that the height of building shall not exceed 27 feets and number of storeys shall not exceed ground plus one.