## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Notification Regarding Eco-Sensitive Zone around City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to a notification concerning the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the City Bird Sanctuary in Chandigarh. The amendment, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on April 17, 2025, primarily focuses on the reconstitution and functions of the Monitoring Committee responsible for overseeing activities within the ESZ. The key change involves replacing the existing paragraphs related to the Monitoring Committee with new provisions detailing its composition, responsibilities for scrutinizing activities, handling complaints, and reporting requirements. This amendment aims to enhance the monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations within the specified zone.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the amendment to the Government of India's notification regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh, based on the official policy text provided. This analysis focuses on the changes introduced by the amendment and their potential impact.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy:** The original policy is the notification S.O. 69E, dated January 10, 2017, which declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone around City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh.
* **Core Objective(s) (as inferred from text):** The core objective of the original policy and the amendment is to protect the environment around the City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh, by regulating activities within the designated Eco-Sensitive Zone. This is achieved by ensuring that activities within the zone are scrutinized and comply with environmental regulations.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This is an amendment to an existing policy. The rationale for this amendment, as inferred from the provided text, appears to be the need to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms within the Eco-Sensitive Zone. The amendment focuses specifically on revising the structure and responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee. This suggests that the existing monitoring framework may have been deemed insufficient or in need of improvement to effectively oversee activities and ensure compliance with environmental regulations within the ESZ. By reconstituting the committee and clarifying its functions, the amendment likely intends to enhance the effectiveness of environmental protection efforts in the area.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The amendment replaces the original paragraph 5 of the notification with a new set of provisions focusing on the Monitoring Committee. The key changes introduced are:
* **Composition of the Monitoring Committee:** The amendment specifies the exact members of the Monitoring Committee, including the Chief Wildlife Warden, Chief Architect, Chief Engineer (various departments), Director of Rural Development, Member Secretary of the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, a representative of NGOs, an expert in ecology and environment, a member of the State Biodiversity Board, and the Deputy Conservator of Forest. This provides a clear and detailed structure for the committee. The inclusion of diverse representatives (government officials, NGO representative, expert) may increase the committee's perspective.
* **Scrutiny of Activities:** The amendment outlines the Monitoring Committee's responsibilities for scrutinizing activities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone based on 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. It clarifies that the committee should refer activities requiring prior environmental clearances to the Central Government or the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority. It also gives the Monitoring Committee responsibilities to review activities not covered by S.O. 1533 E to concerned regulatory authorities.
* **Complaint Filing Authority:** The amendment designates the Member Secretary of the Monitoring Committee, the Collector, or the Deputy Conservator of Forests as competent to file complaints under section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, against any person who contravenes the provisions of the notification. This clarifies enforcement responsibilities and potentially streamlines the process of addressing violations.
* **Reporting Requirements:** The amendment mandates that the Monitoring Committee submit an annual action taken report to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State by June 30th of each year. This introduces a formal reporting mechanism to track the committee's activities and progress.
* **Central Government Direction:** The amendment notes that the Central Government may give directions to the monitoring committee in writing to aid in the discharge of its functions.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes include:
* **Members of the reconstituted Monitoring Committee:** They will be directly responsible for the new duties and reporting requirements outlined in the amendment.
* **Businesses and individuals operating within the Eco-Sensitive Zone:** These entities will be subject to the scrutiny of the Monitoring Committee and may need to seek environmental clearances for their activities.
* **The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority:** These bodies will receive referrals from the Monitoring Committee regarding activities requiring environmental clearances.
* **The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State:** This individual will receive the annual action taken report from the Monitoring Committee.
* **Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee:** This body is represented on the Monitoring Committee and involved in monitoring.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the issuing body. The Monitoring Committee is the primary implementing body.
* **Timelines:** The Monitoring Committee is required to submit an annual action taken report by June 30th of each year. The non-governmental organisation representatives and experts are to be nominated by the Government of Union territory Chandigarh from time to time every three years.
* **Procedures:** The amendment establishes procedures for scrutinizing activities within the ESZ and referring them to the appropriate authorities for environmental clearances. It also clarifies the process for filing complaints against violations.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes introduced by the amendment include:
* **Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement:** The clarified composition and responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee should lead to more effective monitoring of activities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.
* **Improved Compliance:** The scrutiny of activities and the potential for complaints to be filed against violators may encourage greater compliance with environmental regulations within the zone.
* **Increased Transparency and Accountability:** The formal reporting requirements will increase transparency and accountability in the Monitoring Committee's operations.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the notification regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh, signifies a renewed focus on strengthening environmental protection measures in the area. By reconstituting the Monitoring Committee, clarifying its functions, and establishing clear reporting requirements, the amendment aims to improve monitoring, enforcement, and compliance within the ESZ. This amendment will likely have a significant impact on businesses and individuals operating within the zone, as well as on the various government agencies responsible for overseeing environmental protection efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Act that confers powers to the Central Government for environmental protection.
29 of 1986: Reference number of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules related to the Environment Protection Act.
Central Government: The government body exercising powers under the Act.
Eco Sensitive Zone: An area around City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh requiring protection.
City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh: A bird sanctuary located in Chandigarh.
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, PartII, Section 3, Subsection ii: Official government publication for notifications.
S.O. 69E: Notification number declaring the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
10th January, 2017: Date of the original notification S.O. 69E.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The ministry responsible for the notification.
S.O. 1797E: Notification number amending the Eco-Sensitive Zone declaration.
Monitoring Committee: A committee constituted to scrutinize activities in the Eco-sensitive Zone.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Union territory of Chandigarh: Chairman of the Monitoring Committee.
Chief Architect, Union territory of Chandigarh: Member, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
Chief Engineer, Union territory of Chandigarh: Member, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
Chief Engineer, Municipal Corporation Union territory of Chandigarh: Member, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
Director Rural Development, Union territory of Chandigarh: Member, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
Member Secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, Union territory: Member, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
Nongovernmental Organisations: Representative in the Monitoring Committee.
Member of State Biodiversity Board: Member, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
Deputy Conservator of Forest: Member Secretary, ex officio of the Monitoring Committee.
S.O. 1533 E: Notification regarding activities in the Eco sensitive Zone.
14th September, 2006: Date of notification S.O. 1533 E.
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority: Authority for prior environmental clearances
section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986: Section relating to filing complaints.
F. No. 25582014ESZRE: File Number of the notification.
Dr. S. KERKETTA: Scientist G
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-19042025-262539
CG-DxLx-xEG-I1D9H0x4x2x0 25-262539
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.ं 1764] नई दिल्ली, बृहस्ट्प जतवार, अप्रलै 17, 2025/चत्रै 27, 1947
No. 1764] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025/CHAITRA 27, 1947
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ु पररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 17 अप्रलै , 2025
का.आ. 1797(अ).— केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3) के साथ
परित पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) 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 करते हुए, नगर पक्षी अभर्ारण्र्, चडं ीगढ़ के आसपास एक
पाररजस्ट्तजथकी संवेिी िोन घोजित करन े के जलए भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खडं 3, उपखंड (ii) म ें
का.आ. 69(अ), तारीख 10 िनवरी 2017 द्वारा एक अजधसूचना िारी की गई थी;
और केंरीर् सरकार की र्ह रार् ह ैदक उि अजधसूचना का संिोधन करना लोकजहत म ेंआवश्र्क और समीचीन ह;ै
और पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 का उपजनर्म (4) र्ह उपबंध करता ह ैदक िब भी केंरीर् सरकार
को र्ह प्रतीत होता ह ै दक ऐसा करना लोकजहत म ें ह,ै तो इसके जलए पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के
उपजनर्म (3) के खंड (क) के अधीन नोरिस की अपेक्षा से अजभमुजि िी िा सकती ह;ै
2626 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
और केन्द्रीर् सरकार की र्ह रार् ह ैदक अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 69(अ), तारीख 10 िनवरी 2017 में संिोधन
करन े के जलए पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3) के खंड (क) के अधीन नोरिस की अपक्षे ा स े
अजभमुजि िेना लोकजहत म ेंह;ै
अतः, अब, केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (4) के साथ परित पर्ाावरण
(संरक्षण) 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, भारत सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर् की
भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखंड (ii) म ें का.आ. 69(अ), तारीख 10 िनवरी 2017 को प्रकाजित
अजधसूचना, म ें जनम्नजलजखत सिं ोधन करती ह,ै अथाात्:-
उि अजधसूचना म,ें पैरा 5 के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखे िाएंगे, अथाात:् -
“5. मॉनीिरी सजमजत. – केंरीर् सरकार एक मॉनीिरी सजमजत का गिन करती ह,ै िो जनम्नजलजखत व्यजिर्ों स े
जमलकर बनगे ी, अथाात्:-
(i) मुखर् वन्द्र्िीव वाडान, संघ राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ - अध्र्क्ष, पिेन;
(ii) मुखर् वास्ट्तुकार, संघ राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(iii) मुखर् अजभर्ंता, संघ राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(iv) मुखर् अजभर्ंता, नगर जनगम सघं राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(v) जनिेिक ग्रामीण जवकास, संघ राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(vi) सिस्ट्र् सजचव, चडं ीगढ़ प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण सजमजत, सघं राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(vii) पर्ाावरण के क्षेत्र म ें काम करन े वाल े गैर-सरकारी संगिनों का एक प्रजतजनजध जिस े - सिस्ट् र्;
संघ राज्र्क्षेत्र चंडीगढ़ सरकार द्वारा प्रत्र्ेक तीन विा के जलए नामजनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा
िाएगा।
(viii) पाररजस्ट्थजतकी और पर्ाावरण के क्षेत्र म ें एक जविेिज्ञ जिसे संघ राज्र्क्षेत्र चडं ीगढ़ - सिस्ट् र्;
सरकार द्वारा प्रत्र्ेक तीन विा के जलए नामजनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िाएगा।
(ix) राज्र् िैव जवजवधता बोडा के सिस्ट्र्, और - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(x) उप वन संरक्षक सिस्ट्र्-सजचव, पिने ।
(2) मॉनीिरी सजमजत, वास्ट्तजवक स्ट्थल-जवजनर्िष्टा जस्ट्थजतर्ों के आधार पर उन दिर्ाकलापों की संवीक्षा करेगी, िो दक
भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण और वन मंत्रालर् की अजधसूचना संखर्ा का.आ. 1533 (अ), तारीख 14
जसतंबर, 2006 की अनुसूची में िाजमल ह ैऔर पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी िोन में आते ह,ैं इसके परै ा 4 के अधीन िी गई
सारणी में जनर्िष्टा प्रजतजिद्ध दिर्ाकलापों के जसवार् और उि अजधसूचना के उपबंधों के अधीन पूवा पर्ाावरणीर्
अनुमजत के जलए केन्द्रीर् सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर् और राज्र् पर्ाावरण समाघात
जनधाारण प्राजधकरण को जनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा गर्ा ह।ै
(3) ऐसे दिर्ाकलाप, िो उप-पैरा (2) में जनर्िाष्ट अजधसूचना की अनुसूची में िाजमल नहीं ह ै और पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी
िोन के भीतर आते ह,ैं इसके परै ा 4 की सारणी म ें प्रजतजिद्ध दिर्ाकलापों के जसवार्, की संवीक्षा मॉनीिरी सजमजत[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
द्वारा वास्ट्तजवक स्ट्थल जवजनर्िाष्ट जस्ट्थजतर्ों के आधार पर की िार्ेगी और इन्द् ह ें संबद्ध जवजनर्ामक प्राजधकरणों को
जनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िाएगा।
(4) मॉनीिरी सजमजत के सिस्ट् र् सजचव र्ा कलेक्िर र्ा उप वन सरं क्षक इस अजधसूचना के उपबधं ों का उल् लघं न करन े
वाले दकसी भी व् र्जि के जवरूद्ध पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 की धारा 19 के अधीन जिकार्त ििा करन े
के जलए सक्षम होंगे।
(5) मॉनीिरी सजमजत मामले-िर-मामले के आधार पर अपेक्षाओं पर जनभार करते हुए अपने जवचार-जवमिा में सजमजत की
सहार्ता के जलए जवभाग के प्रजतजनजध र्ा जविेिज्ञ, उद्योग सगं मों के प्रजतजनजध र्ा संबंजधत पणधाररर्ों को आमंजत्रत
कर सकती ह।ै
(6) मॉनीिरी सजमजत प्रत् र्के विा के 31 माचा तक की अवजध की अपने दिर्ाकलापों की वार्िाक कारावाई ररपोिा उस विा
के 30 िून तक राज्र् के मुखर् वन्द् र्िीव वाडान को उपाबधं -V म ेंजनर्िाष् ि रूपजवधान में प्रस्ट् ततु करेगी।
(7) केंरीर् सरकार अपन ेकार्ों के प्रभावी जनवाहन के जलए मॉनीिरी सजमजत को जलजखत रूप म ेंऐस ेजनिेि ि ेसकती ह,ै
िैसा वह उजचत समझे।”
[फा. स.ं 25/58/2014-ईएसिडे -आरई]
डॉ. स.ु केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘’िी’’
रिप्प ण.- मलू अजधसूचना, भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उप खंड (ii) म ें तारीख 10 िनवरी 2017 को
का.आ. 69(अ) द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 17th April, 2025
S.O. 1797(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 City Bird Sanctuary, Chandigarh in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section
3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 69(E), dated the 10th January, 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. 69(E), dated the 10th January, 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 in the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate
Change, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 69(E), dated the
10th January, 2017; namely: -4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
In the said notification, for paragraphs 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) Chief Wildlife Warden, Union territory of Chandigarh – Chairman, ex officio;
(ii) Chief Architect, Union territory of Chandigarh –Member, ex officio;
(iii) Chief Engineer, Union territory of Chandigarh –Member, ex officio;
(iv) Chief Engineer, Municipal Corporation Union territory of Chandigarh –Member, ex officio;
(v) Director Rural Development, Union territory of Chandigarh –Member, ex officio;
(vi) Member Secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, Union territory, –Member, ex officio;
Chandigarh
(vii) A representative of Non-governmental Organisations working in the field of –Member;
environment to be nominated by the Government of Union territory
Chandigarh from time to time every three years
(viii) One expert in the area of ecology and environment to be nominated by the –Member;
Government of Union territory of Chandigarh from time to time every three
years
(ix) Member of State Biodiversity Board –Member, ex officio;
and
(x) Deputy Conservator of Forest - 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-V.
(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. 25/58/2014-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 notification number S.O. 69(E), dated the 4thJanuary, 2017.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.