## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Notification on Ecosensitive Zone around Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to the Government of India's notification S.O. 1816(E), dated 7th June, 2017, concerning the declaration of an Ecosensitive Zone around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya. The amendment, issued on April 29, 2025, primarily focuses on reconstituting the Monitoring Committee responsible for overseeing activities within the Ecosensitive Zone and defining its functions. The key change involves replacing the existing paragraphs 5 and 6 of the original notification with new provisions detailing the committee's composition and responsibilities, emphasizing site-specific scrutiny of activities and reporting requirements.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the amendment to the Government of India's notification regarding the Ecosensitive Zone around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, based solely on the provided policy text. It aims to elucidate the changes introduced and their potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy Being Amended:** Notification S.O. 1816(E), dated the 7th June, 2017, concerning the declaration of an Ecosensitive Zone around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya.
* **Core Objective(s):** The original objective, as inferred from the amendment's context, is to protect the environment around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary through the establishment of an Ecosensitive Zone and the regulation of activities within it. The amendment aims to refine the monitoring and oversight mechanisms for achieving this objective.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The provided text does not explicitly state the reasons for this specific amendment. However, it can be inferred that the original Monitoring Committee's structure or functions were deemed inadequate, necessitating a revised composition and a clearer definition of responsibilities. The emphasis on "actual site-specific conditions" suggests a need for more localized and tailored scrutiny of activities within the Ecosensitive Zone.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment substitutes paragraphs 5 and 6 of the original notification, concerning the Monitoring Committee.
* **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** Paragraphs 5 and 6 of Notification S.O. 1816(E), dated the 7th June, 2017.
* **New Rule/Provision:**
* **Reconstitution of Monitoring Committee:** The amendment details a new composition for the Monitoring Committee, including representation from various government departments (Forests, Revenue), autonomous district councils, ecology/biodiversity experts, NGOs, and the State Biodiversity Board. It specifies positions as ex-officio members.
* **Functions of the Monitoring Committee:** The amendment outlines the Monitoring Committee's functions, including scrutinizing activities within the Ecosensitive Zone (except prohibited activities), referring cases to relevant authorities for environmental clearances, and the power to file complaints against violations. It also mandates the committee to submit annual action taken reports.
* **Difference/Effect of Change:** The amendment aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Monitoring Committee by ensuring broader representation, clarifying its responsibilities in site-specific evaluations, and formalizing reporting requirements. This likely intends to improve environmental oversight and enforcement within the Ecosensitive Zone.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary stakeholders affected by these changes are:
* **Industries and project proponents** operating or planning to operate within the Ecosensitive Zone, as they will be subject to increased scrutiny by the Monitoring Committee.
* **The Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary and the surrounding environment**, as the changes aim to improve environmental protection.
* **Government of Meghalaya and its various departments (Forests, Revenue, etc.)**, as they are directly involved in the Monitoring Committee.
* **Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council**, due to representation on the Monitoring Committee.
* **Environmental NGOs** working in the region.
* **Local communities** living within the Ecosensitive Zone.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:**
* The re-constituted Monitoring Committee is the primary responsible body.
* The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority are involved in environmental clearance processes.
* The Chief Wildlife Warden receives the annual action taken reports.
* **Timelines/Procedures:**
* The Monitoring Committee must submit an annual action taken report by the 30th of June each year, covering activities up to the 31st of March.
* The Monitoring Committee will scrutinize activities on a site-specific basis and refer cases for environmental clearance as needed.
* **Amendment Specific Implementation**: The immediate implementation aspect is the formation of the new Monitoring Committee according to the specified composition.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of these changes is likely to be improved environmental monitoring and enforcement within the Ecosensitive Zone. By clarifying the Monitoring Committee's role and responsibilities, and by broadening its composition, the amendment aims to ensure more effective protection of the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding environment. The amendment's impact is likely to be a more stringent regulatory environment for activities within the Ecosensitive Zone and more accountability from the Monitoring Committee through its reporting requirements.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the notification regarding the Ecosensitive Zone around the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary represents a refinement of the environmental governance framework for the area. The reconstituted Monitoring Committee, with its clarified functions and reporting obligations, is poised to play a crucial role in safeguarding the Sanctuary's ecological integrity. The success of this amendment will depend on the effective implementation of the revised monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Location where the notification was issued.
APRIL 29, 2025: Date of the notification.
VAISAKHA 9, 1947: Date according to the Indian national calendar.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The government ministry issuing the notification.
NOTIFICATION: Type of document.
S.O. 1932E: Notification number.
Central Government: The governing body issuing the notification.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The Act under which the powers are conferred.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules related to the Environment Protection Act, 1986
Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary: The Wildlife Sanctuary around which an Ecosensitive Zone is being declared.
Meghalaya: The state in which the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is located.
Gazette of India: Official government publication.
S.O. 1816E: Previous notification number related to the Ecosensitive Zone.
7th June, 2017: Date of the previous notification S.O. 1816E.
Government of India: The government publishing the notification.
Monitoring Committee: Committee constituted to monitor activities in the Ecosensitive Zone.
Conservator of Forests Territorial and Wild Life: Chairman, ex officio, of the Monitoring Committee; Government of Meghalaya
Government of Meghalaya: The state government of Meghalaya.
Chief Forest Officer, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council: Member, ex officio, of the Monitoring Committee.
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council: Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya.
Revenue Department, RiBhoi District Nongpoh: Department and district from which a representative is a Member, ex officio, of the Monitoring Committee.
RiBhoi: District in Meghalaya.
Nongpoh: Location within RiBhoi District.
State Biodiversity Board: State level board, Member-Secretary or member is ex officio member of Monitoring Committee
Khasi Hills Wildlife Division: Wildlife division in Khasi Hills; Divisional Forest Officer is Member-Secretary, Shillong ex officio of Monitoring Committee.
Shillong: Location; the Divisional Forest Officer is based here.
Ministry of Environment and Forests: Erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests.
S.O. 1533 E: Notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests.
14th September, 2006: Date of notification S.O. 1533 E.
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority: Authority for environmental clearances.
Chief Wildlife Warden: Authority to which the Monitoring Committee submits its annual action taken report.
AnnexureIV: Proforma for annual action taken report
F. No. 25242015ESZ: File number of the notification.
Dr. S. KERKETTA: Scientist G.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Location of the Dte. of Printing.
Controller of Publications, Delhi110054: Publisher of the Gazette of India.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-30042025-262773
CG-DxLx-xEG-I3D0H0x4x2x0 25-262773
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.ं 1889] नई दिल्ली, मगं लवार , अप्रैल 29, 2025/विै ाख 9, 1947
No. 1889] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025/VAISAKHA 9, 1947
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ुपररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 29 अप्रैल ,2025
का.आ.1932 (अ). — केन्द्रीर् सरकार न,े 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 खडं (xiv) तथा उपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करते हुए, नांगखाइलम वन्द्र्िीव अभर्ारण्र्, जसदिम
के आसपास एक पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी िोन घोजित करन ेके जलए भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखडं (ii)
में संखर्ांक का.आ. 1816(अ), तारीख 7 िून 2017, द्वारा एक अजधसूचना िारी की थी;
और केंरीर् सरकार की र्ह रार् ह ैदक उि अजधसूचना का संिोधन करना लोकजहत में आवश्र्क और समीचीन है;
और पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) 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 में ह,ै तो वह पर्ावा रण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उप-जनर्म (3) के
खंड (क) के अधीन नोरिस की अपेक्षा से अजभमुजि िे सकेगी;
2833 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. 1816(अ), तारीख 7 िनू 2017 म ें संिोधन करन े के
जलए पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उपजनर्म (3) के खंड (क) के अधीन नोरिस की अपेक्षा स े अजभमुजि
िेना लोकजहत में ह;ै
अतः, अब, केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ावा रण (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 खडं (xiv) तथा उपधारा
(3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करते हुए, भारत सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर् की भारत के
रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखडं (ii) में संखर्ांक का.आ. 1816(अ), तारीख 7 िून 2017 द्वारा प्रकाजित
अजधसूचना में जनम्नजलजखत संिोधन करती ह,ै अथाात्:-
उि अजधसूचना म,ें पैरा 5 और 6 के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत परै ा रख ें िाएंगे, अथाात:् -
“5. मानीिरी सजमजत. – केंरीर् सरकार जनम्नजलजखत व्यजिर्ों से जमलकर बनी एक मानीिरी सजमजत का गिन करती ह,ै
अथाात:् -
(i) वन संरक्षक (प्रािेजिक एव ंवन्द्र् िीव), मेघालर् सरकार - अध्र्क्ष, पिेन;
(ii) मुखर् वन अजधकारी, खासी जहल्स स्ट्वार्त्त जिला पररिि -सिस्ट्र्, पिेन;
(iii) रािस्ट्व जवभाग, री-भोई जिला नोंगपोह का एक प्रजतजनजध -सिस्ट्र्, पिेन;
(iv) प्रत्र्ेक तीन वि ा पश्चात मेघालर् सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िान े वाला - सिस्ट् र्;
प्रजतजित संस्ट्थान र्ा जवश्वजवद्यालर् से पाररजस्ट्थजतकी और पर्ाावरण र्ा िैव
जवजवधता का एक जविेिज्ञ
(v) प्रत्र्ेक तीन वि ा पश्चात मेघालर् सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िान े वाला - सिस्ट् र्;
पर्ाावरण र्ा वन्द्र्िीव के क्षेत्र में काम करने वाले एक गैर-सरकारी संगिन का
एक प्रजतजनजध, जिसमें जवरासत संरक्षण भी िाजमल ह ै
(vi) राज्र् िैव जवजवधता बोडा का सिस्ट्र्-सजचव र्ा सिस्ट्र् -सिस्ट्र्, पिेन;
(vii) जवभागीर् वन अजधकारी, खासी जहल्स वन्द्र्िीव प्रभाग, जिलागं - सिस्ट् र्-सजचव, पिेन.
6. मानीिरी सजमजत के कृत्र्.- (1) मानीिरी सजमजत, वास्ट्तजवक स्ट्थल-जवजिष्ट जस्ट्थजतर्ों के आधार पर, भारत सरकार के
तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण और वन मंत्रालर् की अजधसूचना संखर्ा का.आ. 1533(अ), दिनांक 14 जसतंबर, 2006, के अधीन
अनुसूची में िाजमल और पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी िोन में आने वाले दिर्ाकलापों की संवीक्षा करेगी, इसके पैरा 4 के अधीन
सारणी में जनर्िाष्ट जनजिद्ध गजतजवजधर्ों को छोड़कर, और र्थाजस्ट्थजत, केन्द्रीर् सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतना
मंत्रालर् र्ा राज्र् पर्ाावरण प्रभाव जनधाारण प्राजधकरण को, उि अजधसूचना के उपबंधों के अधीन पूव ापर्ाावरणीर् मंिूरी के
जलए जनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा गर्ा ह।ै[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(2) ऐसे दिर्ाकलापों, िो उप-पैरा (1) में जनर्िष्टा अजधसूचना की अनुसूची में िाजमल नहीं ह ैऔर पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी िोन
के भीतर आते ह,ैं इसके पैरा 4 की सारणी में प्रजतबंजधत दिर्ाकलापों को छोड़कर, की संवीक्षा मानीिरी सजमजत द्वारा स्ट् थल
जवजिष्ि वास्ट् तजवक पररजस्ट्थजतर्ों के आधार पर की िार्गे ी और इन्द् ह ें संबंजधत जवजनर्ामक प्राजधकरणों के पास भेिा िाएगा।
(3) मानीिरी सजमजत के सिस्ट् र् सजचव र्ा कलेक्िर र्ा उप वन संरक्षक इस अजधसूचना के उपबंधों का उल् लंघन करन े वाल े
दकसी भी व् र्जि के जवरूद्ध पर्ावा रण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 की धारा 19 के अधीन जिकार्त िि ाकरन े के जलए सक्षम
होंगे।
(4) मानीिरी सजमजत मामल-े िर-मामल ेके आधार पर अपक्षे ाओं के अनुसार अपने जवचार-जवमिा में सहार्ता के जलए संबंजधत
जवभाग के प्रजतजनजध र्ा जविेिज्ञ, उद्योग संघों के प्रजतजनजध र्ा संबंजधत जहतधारकों को आमंजत्रत कर सकेगी।
(5) मानीिरी सजमजत प्रत् र्ेक विा के 31 माचा तक की अवजध के अपने दिर्ाकलापों की वार्िका कारावाई ररपोिा उस विा के
30 िून तक राज्र् के मखु र् वन्द् र्िीव प्रबंधक को उपाबंध-lV म ेंजवजनर्िाष् ि प्रो-फामाा में प्रस्ट् ततु करेगी।
(6) केंरीर् सरकार अपने कृत्र्ों के प्रभावी जनवाहन के जलए मानीिरी सजमजत को जलजखत रूप में ऐस े जनिेि ि े सकेगी, िैसा
वह िीक समझे।”
[फा.सं. 25/24/2015-ईएसिडे -आरई]
डॉ. स.ु केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘’िी’’
रिप्प ण.- मलू अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग ।।, खंड 3, उप खडं (ii) म ेंतारीख 7 िून, 2017 को का.आ.
1816(अ) द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 29th April,2025
S.O. 1932(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 the Nongkhyllem
Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii),
vide number S.O. 1816(E), dated the 7th June, 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. 1816(E), dated the 7th June, 2017;4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
NOW THEREFORE, 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 (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. 1816 (E), dated the 7th June, 2017, namely:-
In the said notification, for paragraphs 5 and 6, the following paragraphs shall be substituted, namely:-
“5. Monitoring Committee. — The Central Government hereby constitute a Monitoring Committee
consisting of the following persons, namely: -
(i) The Conservator of Forests (Territorial and Wild Life), -Chairman, ex officio;
Government of Meghalaya
(ii) Chief Forest Officer, Khasi Hills Autonomous District -Member, ex officio;
Council
(iii) A representative from the Revenue Department, Ri-Bhoi -Member, ex officio;
District Nongpoh
(iv) One expert in ecology and environment or Biodiversity from -Member;
reputed institution or university to be nominated by the
Government of Meghalaya after every three years
(v) One representative of a non-governmental organisation -Member;
working in the field of environment or wildlife including
heritage conservation to be nominated by the Government of
Meghalaya after every three years
(vi) Member-Secretary or Member of the State Biodiversity -Member, ex officio;
Board
(vii) Divisional Forest Officer, Khasi Hills Wildlife Division, -Member-Secretary,
Shillong ex officio.
6. Functions of Monitoring Committee.— (1) 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 number S.O. 1533
(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and are falling in the Eco-sensitive Zone, except for the
prohibited activities as 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.
(2) The activities not covered in the Schedule to the notification referred to in sub-paragraph (1) and
falling in the Eco-sensitive Zone, except for the prohibited activities as 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.
(3) 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.
(4) The Monitoring Committee may invite representative or expert from Department, representative
from industry associations or stakeholders to assist in its deliberations depending on the requirements
on case to case basis.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
(5) The Monitoring Committee shall submit the annual action taken report of its activities for the period
up to the 31st March of every year by the 30th June of that year to the Chief Wildlife Warden in
proforma specified in Annexure-IV.
(6) 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. 25/24/2015-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. 1816 (E), dated the 7th June, 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.