## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Eco-Sensitive Zone Notification for Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to a 2017 notification declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary in Punjab. The core purpose of the amendment is to reconstitute the Monitoring Committee responsible for overseeing activities within the ESZ. The key finding is that the amendment replaces the existing paragraph 5 with a new paragraph detailing the committee's composition, responsibilities regarding activity scrutiny, complaint filing, stakeholder engagement, reporting requirements, and adherence to Central Government directives.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative analysis of a government notification amending an existing policy related to the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary in Punjab. The analysis is based solely on the text of the provided notification and aims to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy:** The amendment refers to the original notification S.O. 350E, dated the 6th February, 2017, which declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the inferred objective is to protect the environment around the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary by regulating activities within the designated Eco-Sensitive Zone. The amendment focuses on the mechanism for monitoring and scrutinizing those activities, thus ensuring the environmental protection goals are met.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This document amends the earlier notification, S.O. 350E, dated 6th February 2017. The rationale for this specific amendment appears to be the need to revise the structure and function of the Monitoring Committee responsible for overseeing activities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone. This revision likely aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental monitoring and enforcement within the ESZ. The amendment suggests a potential need for a more structured and representative oversight body to address the environmental challenges within the protected area.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment focuses exclusively on modifying the composition and responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee. The specific changes are:
* **Specific Part Changed:** Paragraph 5 of the original notification (S.O. 350E, dated the 6th February, 2017) is completely replaced.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment details the new composition of the Monitoring Committee, including representatives from various government departments (Forests Wildlife, Rural Development, Punjab State Pollution Control Board, Urban Department, Agriculture, District Collector Patiala, Punjab State Biodiversity Board, and a Divisional Forest Officer), NGOs, and environmental experts. It outlines the committee's responsibilities, including:
* Scrutinizing activities within the ESZ based on site-specific conditions (excluding prohibited activities as defined in paragraph 4 of S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006).
* Referring activities to the Central Government (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) or the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for prior environmental clearances.
* Referring activities not covered in S.O. 1533 E to the concerned regulatory authorities.
* Authorizing the Member Secretary, Collector or Deputy Conservator of Forests to file complaints under section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
* Inviting relevant experts and stakeholders to assist in deliberations.
* Submitting annual action taken reports to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State by June 30th.
* Adhering to any directions in writing, as it deems fit, to the Monitoring Committee for effective discharge of its functions.
* **Difference/Effect of Change:** The change introduces a more defined and structured Monitoring Committee with broader representation from government and non-government entities. The amendment also explicitly defines the committee's responsibilities, providing greater clarity and potentially leading to more effective monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations within the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes include:
* **Industries operating within or near the Eco-Sensitive Zone:** These industries will be subject to scrutiny by the Monitoring Committee regarding their activities.
* **Government agencies:** The Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife, Department of Rural Development, Punjab State Pollution Control Board, Urban Department, Agricultural Department, District Collector Patiala, Punjab State Biodiversity Board, Divisional Forest Officer Incharge of Protected Area, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
* **Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the field of environment:** One representative will be nominated to the Monitoring Committee.
* **Environmental experts:** One expert will be nominated to the Monitoring Committee.
* **Residents living within or near the Eco-Sensitive Zone:** Their environment and livelihoods may be affected by the activities within the zone.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Government of Punjab, the Punjab State Pollution Control Board, and the newly constituted Monitoring Committee are responsible for implementing the changes.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The Monitoring Committee is required to submit an annual action taken report by June 30th of each year. The process for scrutinizing activities involves referring them to the Central Government or the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for prior environmental clearances. The MemberSecretary, Collector or the Deputy Conservator of Forests can file complaint under section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is improved environmental monitoring and enforcement within the Eco-Sensitive Zone. A more representative and well-defined Monitoring Committee, with clear responsibilities, is expected to lead to more effective scrutiny of activities, timely referrals to regulatory authorities, and better compliance with environmental regulations. This, in turn, should contribute to the overall protection of the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding environment.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Eco-Sensitive Zone notification for the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary focuses on reconstituting and defining the responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee. This change is significant because it aims to strengthen the oversight mechanism for environmental protection within the ESZ, potentially leading to more effective regulation of activities and improved conservation outcomes. Stakeholders, particularly industries operating in the area, should be aware of the revised committee structure and its enhanced scrutiny powers.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Act that grants powers to the Central Government to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones.
29 of 1986: Reference number of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules related to the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab: Wildlife sanctuary around which an Eco-Sensitive Zone is being declared.
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, PartII, Section 3, Subsection ii: Official publication where the initial notification and subsequent amendments are published.
S.O. 350E, dated the 6th February, 2017: The original notification declaring the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Government Ministry responsible for the notification and amendments related to the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Central Government: The governing body issuing the notifications.
Monitoring Committee: A committee constituted to scrutinize activities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Government of Punjab: The state government involved in the Eco-Sensitive Zone management.
Punjab State Pollution Control Board: State-level organization involved in environmental regulation.
Punjab State Biodiversity Board: State organization related to Biodiversity.
S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006: Notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-22042025-262618
CG-DxLx-xEG-I2D2H0x4x2x0 25-262618
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1783] नई दिल्ली, मगं लवार, अप्रलै 22, 2025/विै ाख 2, 1947
No. 1783] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025/VAISAKHA 2, 1947
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ु पररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 22 अप्रलै , 2025
का.आ. 1816(अ).— केंद्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3) के साथ परित
पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उपधारा (1), उपधारा (2) के खंड (v) और खंड
(xiv), और उपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करत ेहुए, बीर मेहास वन्र्िीव अभर्ारण्र्, पंिाब के आसपास एक
पाररजस्ट्तजथकी संवेिी िोन घोजित करन े के जलए, भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखडं (ii) म,ें
का.आ. 350(अ), तारीख 6 फरवरी, 2017 द्वारा एक अजधसूचना िारी की थी;
और, केंद्रीर् सरकार की र्ह रार् ह ेदक उि अजधसूचना का सिं ोधन करना लोकजहत में आवश्र्क और समीचीन ह;ै
और, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 का उपजनर्म (4) र्ह उपबंध करता ह ैदक िब भी केंद्रीर् सरकार
को र्ह प्रतीत होता ह ैदक ऐसा करना लोकजहत म ेंह,ै तो वह पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3)
के खंड (क) के अधीन सूचना की अपेक्षा से अजभमुजि िे सकती है;
2670 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
और, केंद्रीर् सरकार की र्ह रार् ह ै दक अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 350(अ), तारीख 6 फरवरी, 2016 म ें संिोधन
करने के जलए पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3) के खडं (क) के अधीन सूचना की अपेक्षा से
अजभमुजि िेना लोकजहत म ें ह;ै
अत:, अब, केंद्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (4) के साथ परित पर्ाावरण
(संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उपधारा (1) और उपधारा (2) के खंड (v) और खडं (xiv) और
उपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करत ेहुए, भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग 2, खंड 3, उपखडं (ii) म,ें का.आ.
350(अ), तारीख 6 फरवरी, 2016 द्वारा प्रकाजित, भारत सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर् की
अजधसूचना में जनम्नजलजखत संिोधन करती है, अथाात्:--
उि अजधसूचना म,ें पैरा 5 के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखे िाएगे, अथाात:् --
“5. मानीटरी सजमजत-- (1) केंद्रीर् सरकार एक जनगरानी सजमजत का गिन करेगी िो जनम्नजलजखत व्यजिर्ों स े
जमलकर बनगे ी, अथाात्:
(i) मुखर् वन सरं क्षक (वन्र्िीव), पंिाब सरकार अध्र्क्ष, पिेन ;
(ii) पंिाब सरकार के ग्रामीण जवभाग के प्रजतजनजध सिस्ट्र्, पिेन ;
(iii) क्षेत्रीर् अजधकारी, पंिाब राज्र् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा सिस्ट्र्, पिेन ;
(iv) पर्ाावरण के क्षत्रे म ेंकाम करन ेवाले गैर-सरकारी संगिनों का एक प्रजतजनजध, जिसे पंिाब सिस्ट्र् ;
सरकार द्वारा समर्-समर् पर प्रत्र्ेक तीन वि ा म ें नामजनर्िष्टा दकर्ा िाएगा।
(v) पाररजस्ट्थजतकी और पर्ाावरण के क्षत्रे म ें एक जविेिज्ञ को पंिाब सरकार द्वारा समर्- सिस्ट्र् ;
समर् पर प्रत्र्ेक तीन विा म ेंनामजनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िाएगा
(vi) पंिाब सरकार के िहरी जवभाग के प्रजतजनजध सिस्ट्र्, पिेन ;
(vii) पंिाब सरकार के कृजि जवभाग के प्रजतजनजध सिस्ट्र्, पिेन ;
(viii) जिला कलेक्टर,परटर्ाला का प्रजतजनजध सिस्ट्र्, पिेन ;
(ix) पंिाब राज्र् िैव जवजवधता बोडा के सिस्ट्र् सिस्ट्र्, पिेन ;
(x) प्रभागीर् वनाजधकारी (संरजक्षत क्षत्रे के प्रभारी) सिस्ट्र्-सजचव,
पिेन;
(2) मानीटरी सजमजत, वास्ट्तजवक जवजनर्िाष्ट स्ट्थलीर् ििाओं के आधार पर भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण और
वन मंत्रालर् की अजधसूचना स.ं 1533(अ), तारीख 14 जसतंबर 2006 की अनुसूची में सजममजलत दिर्ाकलापों और
इस अजधसूचना के परै ा 4 के अधीन सारणी म ेंर्था जवजनर्िाष्ट प्रजतजिद्ध गजतजवजधर्ों के जसवार्, आन े वाल ेऔर उस
अजधसूचना के उपबंधों के अधीन पूवा पर्ाावरण जनकासी के जलए, र्थाजस्ट्थजत, केंद्रीर् सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन और
िलवार्ु पररवतना मंत्रालर् र्ा राज्र् पर्ाावरण प्रभाव आंकलन प्राजधकरण को जनर्िाष्ट दिर्ाकलापों की संवीक्षा
करेगी ।
(3) इस अजधसूचना के पैरा 4 के अधीन सारणी में र्था जवजनर्िाष्ट दिर्ाकलापों के जसवार्, उपपैरा (2) म ें जनर्िाष्ट
अजधसूचना की अनुसूची के अधीन ऐसे दिर्ाकलापों, जिन्ह ें सजममजलत नहीं दकर्ा गर्ा ह ै और िो पाररजस्ट्थजतक
संवेिी िोन म ें आत े ह,ैं की वास्ट्तजवक जवजनर्िाष्ट स्ट्थलीर् ििाओं पर आधाररत मानीटरी सजमजत द्वारा संवीक्षा की
िाएगी और उसे संबद्ध जवजनर्ामक प्राजधकरणों को जनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िाएगा ।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(4) मानीटरी सजमजत का सिस्ट्र्-सजचव र्ा संबद्ध कलेक्टर र्ा संबद्ध उप वन संरक्षक, ऐसे व्यजि के जवरुद्ध, िो इस
अजधसूचना के दकसी उपबंध का उल्लंघन करता है, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 की धारा 19 के अधीन
पररवाि फाइल करन े के जलए सक्षम होगा ।
(5) मानीटरी सजमजत, प्रत्र्ेक मामले के आधार पर अपेक्षाओं पर जनभार रहते हुए, संबद्ध जवभागों के प्रजतजनजधर्ों र्ा
जविेिज्ञों, औद्योजगक संगमों र्ा संबद्ध पणधाररर्ों के प्रजतजनजधर्ों को, अपन े जवचार-जवमिा में सहार्ता के जलए,
आमंजत्रत कर सकेगी ।
(6) मानीटरी सजमजत, प्रत्र्ेक वि ा की 31 माचा तक की अवजध की अपन े दिर्ालापों की वार्िाक कारावाई ररपोटा, इस
अजधसूचना के साथ संलग्न उपाबधं -III म ें जवजनर्िाष्ट प्रोफामा ा म,ें उस वि ा की 30 िून तक मखु र् वन्र्िीव वाडना को
प्रस्ट्तुत करेगी ।
(7) केंद्रीर् सरकार, मानीटरी सजमजत को उसके कृत्र्ों के प्रभावी जनवाहन के जलए, जलजखत में ऐस े जनिेि िे सकेगी, िो
वह उजचत समझे ।
[फा. सं. 25/28/2014-ईएसिडे -आरई]
डॉ. एस. केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘िी’
रटप्पण.-- मलू अजधसूचना, भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग- II, खडं 3, उपखडं (ii) म ें का.आ. 350(अ),
तारीख 6 फरवरी, 2017 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी ।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 22nd April, 2025
S.O. 1816(E).— WHEREAS the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1),
clauses (v) and (xiv) of sub-section (2), and sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29
of 1986) read with sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, issued a notification to declare
an Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II,
Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 350(E), dated the 6th February, 2017;
AND WHEREAS the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient in the public
interest to amend the said notification;
AND WHEREAS sub-rule (4) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 provides that whenever
it appears to the Central Government that it is in the public interest to do so, it may dispense with the requirement of
notice under clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986;
AND WHEREAS the Central Government is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to dispense with the
requirement of notice under clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 for amending
the notification number S.O. 350(E), dated the 6th February, 2017;
Now, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), clauses (v) and (xiv) of sub-section
(2) and sub-section(3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with sub-rule (4) of rule
5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendments in the
notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, published in the Gazette
of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 350(E), dated the 6th February, 2017, namely:-4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
In the said notification, for paragraph 5, the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely: -
“5. Monitoring Committee. - (1) The Central Government hereby constitutes a Monitoring Committee
consisting of the following persons, namely: -
(i) C hief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Government of Punjab –Chairman, ex officio;
(ii) R epresentative of Department of Rural Department, Government of - Member, ex officio;
Punjab
(iii) R egional Officer, Punjab State Pollution Control Board - Member, ex officio;
(iv) O ne representative of Non-Governmental Organisations working in –Member;
the field of environment to be nominated by the Government of
Punjab from time to time every three years
(v) O ne expert in the area of ecology and environment to be nominated –Member;
by the Government of Punjab from time to time every three years
(vi) R epresentative of Urban Department, Government of Punjab - Member, ex officio;
(vii) R epresentative of Department of Agricultural, Government of Punjab - Member, ex officio;
(viii) R epresentative of District Collector, Patiala - Member, ex officio;
(ix) M ember of the Punjab State Biodiversity Board - Member, ex officio;
(x) D ivisional Forest Officer (In-charge of Protected Area) -Member Secretary, ex officio.
(2) The Monitoring Committee shall, based on the actual site-specific conditions, scrutinise the activities covered
in the Schedule to the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and
Forests, vide S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006, and are falling in the Eco-sensitive Zone, except
for the prohibited activities specified in the Table under paragraph 4 thereof, and referred to the Central
Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change or the State Environment Impact
Assessment Authority, as the case may be, for prior environmental clearances under the provisions of the said
notification.
(3) The activities not covered in the Schedule to the notification referred to in sub-paragraph (2) and are falling in
the Eco-sensitive Zone, except for the prohibited activities specified in the Table under paragraph 4 thereof,
shall be scrutinised by the Monitoring Committee based on the actual site-specific conditions and referred to
the concerned regulatory authorities.
(4) The Member-Secretary of the Monitoring Committee or the Collector or the Deputy Conservator of Forests
shall be competent to file complaint under section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, against any
person who contravenes the provisions of this notification.
(5) The Monitoring Committee may invite representative or expert from the Department, representative from the
industry associations or the stakeholders to assist the committee in its deliberations depending on the
requirements on case to case basis.
(6) The Monitoring Committee shall submit the action taken report annually of its activities for the period up to
the 31st March of every year to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State by the 30th June of that year in pro-
forma specified in Annexure-III.
(7) The Central Government may give such directions in writing, as it deems fit, to the Monitoring Committee for
effective discharge of its functions.”.
[F. No. 25/28/2014-ESZ/RE]
Dr. S. KERKETTA, Scientist “G”
Note.– The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3,
Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 350(E), dated the 6th February, 2017.
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