## Report on Amendment to Eco-Sensitive Zone Policy around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification amending the existing policy regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. The core purpose of this amendment, as evidenced by the provided text, is to reconstitute the Monitoring Committee responsible for overseeing the ESZ. The key finding is that the amendment broadens the representation on the Monitoring Committee, including additional local government and ecological expertise, likely to improve its effectiveness.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview and analysis of the Government of India's notification amending the existing policy concerning the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification, focusing on the changes introduced and their potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This notification amends the original policy established by notification S.O. 4047E, dated November 11th, 2020, which declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.
* The core objective of the overarching policy (based on inference from the text referencing the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Environment Protection Rules, 1986) is the protection and conservation of the environment in the specified Eco-Sensitive Zone.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The provided text suggests the rationale for this specific amendment is to improve the operational efficiency and comprehensiveness of the Monitoring Committee. The inclusion of additional members from local government bodies and experts in biodiversity and ecology indicates a need for broader perspectives and enhanced local engagement in monitoring and managing the ESZ.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This notification focuses entirely on amending paragraph 5 of the original notification, which pertains to the Monitoring Committee.
* **Original Policy (as inferred):** The original paragraph 5 outlined a previous composition of the Monitoring Committee.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment replaces the original paragraph 5 with a completely new structure for the Monitoring Committee. The new committee comprises the following ex-officio members:
* District Collector, Sirohi (Chairman)
* Sub Divisional Officer, Mount Abu
* Sub Divisional Officer, Sirohi
* Sub Divisional Officer, Revder
* Sub Divisional Officer, Abu Road
* Secretary, Urban Improvement Trust, Abu
* Honorary Wildlife Warden, Mount Abu, Sirohi
* Chairperson, Nagarpalika, Abu Road
* Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti, Abu Road
* Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti, Revder
* Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti, Pindwara
* Deputy Conservator of Forests Wildlife, Mount Abu (Member-Secretary)
Additionally, the committee includes members nominated by the State Government:
* One representative of a non-governmental organization working in wildlife conservation (for a 3-year term)
* One expert in Biodiversity (for a 3-year term)
* One expert in ecology from a reputed institution or university of the State (for a 3-year term)
* **Difference/Effect of Change:** This amendment significantly expands and diversifies the representation on the Monitoring Committee. It ensures greater participation from local administrative bodies (Sub Divisional Officers, Panchayat Samiti Pradhans, Chairperson Nagarpalika) and incorporates specific expertise in wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and ecology through nominated members.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the provided text, the primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes include:
* Members of the newly constituted Monitoring Committee.
* Local administrative bodies and officials in Sirohi district, Mount Abu, Abu Road, Revder and Pindwara.
* Non-governmental organizations working in wildlife conservation in the region.
* Experts in biodiversity and ecology.
* The State Government of Rajasthan (regarding nominations).
* Residents and businesses operating within the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the issuing authority. The Monitoring Committee itself is the primary body responsible for implementing the changes to the monitoring policy. The State Government is responsible for nominating NGO representatives and ecological experts to the committee.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification is effective from the date of publication. The State Government has a recurring responsibility to nominate experts and NGO representatives every three years. Other implementation aspects aren't specified in the provided text.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is a more effective and inclusive monitoring of the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. The broadened representation on the Monitoring Committee should:
* Enhance local knowledge and participation in environmental management.
* Bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the monitoring process.
* Improve the committee's ability to address environmental challenges within the ESZ.
* Lead to more informed decision-making regarding conservation efforts.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the notification regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, as detailed in the provided text, focuses on reconstituting the Monitoring Committee. By expanding its membership to include more local representation and specialized expertise, the amendment aims to improve the effectiveness and inclusivity of environmental monitoring and management within the ESZ. This suggests a commitment to a more participatory and informed approach to conservation in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Act that provides the central government with the power to take measures to protect and improve the environment.
29 of 1986: Reference number of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules enacted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
S.O. 4047E: Notification number declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone around Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.
11th November, 2020: Date of the notification S.O. 4047E.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Government ministry responsible for environmental policy.
Gazette of India: Official government publication.
PartII, Section 3, Subsection ii: Section of the Gazette of India where the notification is published.
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area in Rajasthan, India.
Monitoring Committee: A committee constituted by the Central Government to monitor something.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-28042025-262739
CG-DxLx-xEG-I2D8H0x4x2x0 25-262739
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1871] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार, अप्रलै 28, 2025/विै ाख 8, 1947
No. 1871] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025/VAISAKHA 8, 1947
पर्ावा रण, वन और िलवार् ुपररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 28 अप्रैल, 2025
का.आ. 1913(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) और उपधारा (2) के खडं (v)
और खंड (xiv) तथा उपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करत े हुए, माउंट आबू वन्द्र्िीव अभर्ारण्र्, रािस्ट्थान के
आसपास एक पाररजस्ट्थजतकी सवं ेिी िोन घोजित करन े के जलए भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखंड (ii)
में संखर्ांक का.आ. 4047(अ), 11 नवम्बर, 2020 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 उप-जनर्म (4) र्ह उपबंध करता ह ै दक िब भी केंरीर्
सरकार को र्ह प्रतीत होता ह ैदक ऐसा करना लोकजहत म ेंह,ै तो वह पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उप-
जनर्म (3) के खडं (क) के अधीन नोरटस की अपेक्षा से अजभमुजि ि ेसकेगी;
2796 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. 4047(अ), 11 नवम्बर, 2020 म ें संिोधन
करन े के जलए पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3) के खंड (क) के अधीन नोरटस 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) और उपधारा (2) के खंड (v) और खंड (xiv) तथा
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) में संखर्ांक का.आ. 4047(अ), 11 नवम्बर, 2020 द्वारा प्रकाजित
अजधसूचना, म ेंजनम्नजलजखत संिोधन करती ह,ै अथाात्:-
उि अजधसूचना म,ें पैरा 5 के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखे िाएंगे, अथाात:् -
“5. मानीटरी सजमजत. – केंरीर् सरकार एक जनगरानी सजमजत का गिन करेगी, िो जनम्नजलजखत व्यजिर्ों स े जमलकर
बनेगी, अथाात्: -
(i) जिला कलक्टर, जसरोही - अध्र्क्ष, पिेन;
(ii) उपखंड अजधकारी, माउंट आबू - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(iii) उपखंड अजधकारी, जसरोही - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(iv) उपखंड अजधकारी, रेविर - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(v) उपखंड अजधकारी, आबूरोड - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(vi) सजचव, नगर सुधार न्द्र्ास, आब ू - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(vii) मानि वन्द्र्िीव वाडान, माउंट आबू, जसरोही - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(viii) प्रत्र्ेक तीन वि ा में रािस्ट्थान सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िष्टा दकर्ा िाने वाला वन्द्र्िीव - सिस्ट् र्,
संरक्षण के क्षेत्र म ेंकाम करने वाले गैर-सरकारी सगं िन का एक प्रजतजनजध
(ix) प्रत्र्ेक तीन विा में रािस्ट्थान सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िष्टा दकर्ा िाने वाला िैव - सिस्ट् र्,
जवजवधता में एक जविेिज्ञ
(x) प्रत्र्ेक तीन वि ा में रािस्ट्थान सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िष्टा दकर्ा िाने वाला राज्र् के - सिस्ट् र्,
प्रजतजित संस्ट्थान र्ा जवश्वजवद्यालर् से पाररजस्ट्थजतकी के क्षेत्र म ेंएक जविेिज्ञ
(xi) अध्र्क्ष, नगर पाजलका, आबू रोड - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(xii) प्रधान, पंचार्त सजमजत, आबू रोड - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(xiii) प्रधान, पंचार्त सजमजत, रेविर - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(xiv) प्रधान, पंचार्त सजमजत, पपंडवाड़ा - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(xv) उप वन संरक्षक (वन्द्र्िीव), माउंट आबू - सिस्ट् र् सजचव,
पिेन।”
[फा. स.ं 25/55/2015-ईएसिेड-आरई]
डॉ. स.ु केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘’िी’’
रटप्प ण.- मलू अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग ।।, खंड 3, उप खंड (ii) म ें तारीख 11 नवम्बर, 2020 को
का.आ. 4047 (अ) द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 28th April, 2025
S.O. 1913(E).— WHEREAS the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1)
and 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 Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II,
Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 4047(E), dated the 11th November, 2020;
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. 4047(E), dated the 11th November, 2020;
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, Forest and Climate Change, published in
the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 4047(E), dated the 11th November,
2020, namely:-
In the said notification, for paragraph 5, the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely:-
“5. Monitoring Committee. - The Central Government hereby constitutes a Monitoring Committee,
comprising of the following persons, namely: -
(i) District Collector, Sirohi Chairman, ex officio;
(ii) Sub Divisional Officer, Mount Abu Member, ex officio;
(iii) Sub Divisional Officer, Sirohi Member, ex officio;
(iv) Sub Divisional Officer, Revder Member, ex officio;
(v) Sub Divisional Officer, Abu Road Member, ex officio;
(vi) Secretary, Urban Improvement Trust, Abu Member, ex officio;
(vii) Honorary Wildlife Warden, Mount Abu, Sirohi Member, ex officio;
(viii) one representative of non-governmental organisation Member;
working in the field of wildlife conservation to be
nominated by the State Government for a period of
three years
(ix) one expert in Biodiversity to be nominated by the State Member;
Government for a period of three years
(x) One expert in the area of ecology from reputed Member;
institution or university of the State to be nominated by
the State Government for a period of three years.
(xi) Chairperson, Nagarpalika, Abu Road Member, ex officio;
(xii) Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti, Abu Road Member, ex officio;4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(xiii) Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti, Revder Member, ex officio;
(xiv) Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti, Pindwara Member, ex officio;
(xv) Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Mount Abu Member-Secretary, ex officio.”.
[F. No. 25/55/2015-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. 4047(E), dated the 11th November, 2020.
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.