At a time when several protected areas around thecountry are facing existential threats from roadsbuilding, the Uttarakahnd High Court has provided some relief to the state's protected areas, chief among which are the Corbett National Park, the Nanda Devi National Park (pictured above) and the Gangotri National Park. The High Court has directed that an additional 10km eco-sensitive zone must be demarcated around allprotected areas in the state within the next few months,in an effort to contain forest fire. The court has said that roads or new constructions will not be allowed in this zone. According to naturalists, this extra belt of protection will go a long way in protecting the vulnerable and priceless ecology of the state. According to some reports,2,074 instances of forest fires were recorded in the state in 2016, one of the worst years on record.