new delhi the centre has notified 870 sq km area around national chambal sanctuary in mp as an ecosensitive zone esz prohibiting polluting activities like industries major hydroelectric project mining stone quarrying and big constructions within the nogo area for conservation of its ecology comprising of unique geographical features ravines water bodies flora and faunaunder this notification the state government is now required to prepare a zonal master plan to take care of the esz and an ecotourism master plan to promote tourism within the earmarked area of the sanctuary which is home to 75 population of critically endangered species of gharial and 180 species of migratory birds the sanctuary located in and along river chambal one of the cleanest rivers of india in sheopur morena and bhind districts of mp also harbours national aquatic animal the fresh water gangetic dolphin and nine species of fresh water turtles the extent of esz varies from zero due to interstate boundary to two kilometres from the national chambal sanctuary in madhya pradesh said the notification issued by union environment ministry on february 20the move will also help in the centres larger plan to develop ravines of chambal into one of the hubs of ecotourism and improved farm practices in the country being treated as a model of landscape conservation the ravines in sheopur and morena districts of the state will be developed by the centre as part of its green agriculture project the project is being implemented by the centre in collaboration with the global environment facility and the food and agriculture organisation of the united nations