## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone around Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to a Government of India notification concerning the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. The original notification, S.O. 2404(E) dated July 26, 2017, declared the ESZ. This amendment, published on April 17, 2025, focuses on establishing a Monitoring Committee to oversee activities within the ESZ. The key finding is the creation of a committee with specific roles and responsibilities for scrutinizing activities and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a clear and concise overview of the recent amendment to the notification regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, based solely on the provided policy text. This analysis focuses on understanding the structure, purpose, and impact of the introduced changes, specifically the establishment of the Monitoring Committee.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* The amendment modifies the original notification S.O. 2404(E), dated July 26, 2017, which declared the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objective of the amendment is to establish a mechanism for monitoring activities within the ESZ to ensure environmental protection and compliance. The creation of a monitoring committee indicates a focus on active oversight and regulation of activities within the designated zone.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* This is an amendment to an existing policy. The rationale for the amendment appears to be to strengthen the implementation and oversight of environmental regulations within the ESZ. The establishment of a Monitoring Committee suggests a need for more active scrutiny and management of activities that could potentially impact the sensitive ecological zone. This could be in response to perceived gaps or inefficiencies in the initial implementation of the ESZ policy.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This section focuses specifically on the changes introduced by the amendment.
* **What specific part of the original policy is being changed:** The amendment adds a new section pertaining to the establishment and functions of a Monitoring Committee.
* **What the *new* rule/provision *is*:** The new provision establishes a Monitoring Committee consisting of eight members with clearly defined roles (District Magistrate, NGO representative, ecology expert, State Biodiversity Board representative, Pollution Control Board representative, Sub District Magistrate, and two Divisional Forest Officers). The committee's responsibilities include:
* Scrutinizing activities within the ESZ based on site-specific conditions, with the exception of prohibited activities.
* Referring activities requiring environmental clearances to the appropriate authorities.
* Scrutinizing activities not covered in the schedule to the notification.
* Authorizing the Member Secretary (Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife) or the Collector or the Deputy Conservator of Forests to file complaints against violations.
* Submitting an annual action taken report to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State.
* **Explain the *difference* or the *effect* of this specific change:** The amendment adds a layer of active monitoring and enforcement to the existing ESZ framework. The Monitoring Committee provides a formal structure for assessing the environmental impact of activities, ensuring compliance, and taking action against violations. This change aims to improve the effectiveness of the ESZ in protecting the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the target audience and stakeholders most directly affected by these changes are:
* **Industries and developers operating within the Eco-Sensitive Zone:** They will be subject to scrutiny by the Monitoring Committee and may need to seek environmental clearances for their activities.
* **Local communities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone:** Their activities and livelihoods may be subject to review to ensure they do not negatively impact the environment.
* **The Government of Himachal Pradesh:** Responsible for nominating members to the Monitoring Committee (NGO representative, ecology and environment expert).
* **The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:** Receives referrals from the Monitoring Committee and potentially provides directions to the Committee.
* **The Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary and its ecosystem:** The ultimate beneficiary of the enhanced monitoring and enforcement.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned:**
* Central Government (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
* Government of Himachal Pradesh
* Monitoring Committee (with its specific members)
* State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
* Chief Wildlife Warden of the State
* **Any timelines or procedures specified *in the text*:**
* The Government of Himachal Pradesh nominates members to the committee every three years
* The Monitoring Committee is to submit an annual action taken report by June 30th of each year, covering the period up to March 31st.
* Focus on implementation aspects related *specifically to the changes*: The monitoring committee is required to scrutinize activities, refer projects for environmental clearance, file complaints against violations of the notification, and submit an annual report by June 30th.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of establishing the Monitoring Committee is to improve the effectiveness of the ESZ in protecting the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary. This is expected to be achieved through:
* Enhanced scrutiny of activities within the ESZ, leading to better compliance with environmental regulations.
* More effective enforcement of regulations, deterring activities that could harm the environment.
* Better coordination between different government agencies involved in environmental protection.
* Improved protection of the sanctuary's biodiversity and ecological integrity.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the notification regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, specifically the establishment of a Monitoring Committee, represents a significant step towards strengthening environmental oversight and protection within the designated area. This amendment clarifies the roles and responsibilities for monitoring activities, ensuring compliance, and taking action against violations. The success of this policy change will depend on the effective implementation of the Monitoring Committee's mandate and the collaboration of all stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Act under which the Central Government exercises its powers.
29 of 1986: Reference number of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules related to the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
RakchhamChitkul Wildlife Sanctuary: Wildlife sanctuary around which an EcoSensitive Zone is being declared.
Himachal Pradesh: State where the RakchhamChitkul Wildlife Sanctuary is located.
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, PartII, Section 3, Subsection ii: Official publication where the notification is published.
S.O. 2404E: Notification number related to the EcoSensitive Zone declaration.
26th July, 2017: Date of the original notification (S.O. 2404E).
Central Government: The governmental body issuing the notification.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The ministry publishing the notification and responsible for environmental matters.
S.O. 1795E: The current notification number.
Government of Himachal Pradesh: State government nominating members to the Monitoring Committee.
State Biodiversity Board: State agency represented on the Monitoring Committee.
Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board: State agency represented on the Monitoring Committee.
S.O. 1533 E: Notification related to activities in the Ecosensitive Zone.
14th September, 2006: Date of the notification S.O. 1533 E.
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority: Authority to which activities are referred for prior environmental clearances.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-21042025-262575
CG-DxLx-xEG-I2D1H0x4x2x0 25-262575
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.ं 1762] नई दिल्ली, बृहस्ट्प जतवार, अप्रलै 17, 2025/चत्रै 27, 1947
No. 1762] 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. 1795(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 खंड
(v) और खंड (xiv) एव ंउपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करत ेहुए, रक्छम-जचटकूल वन्द्र्िीव अभर्ारण्र्, कनााटक
के आसपास एक पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी िोन घोजित करने के जलए भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खडं 3, उपखंड
(ii) में का.आ. 2404(अ), तारीख 26 िलु ाई, 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 उप-जनर्म (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 (सरं क्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5
के उप-जनर्म (3) के खडं (क) के अधीन नोरटस की अपेक्षा से अजभमुजि िी िा सकती ह;ै
और केन्द्रीर् सरकार की र्ह रार् ह ैदक अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 2404(अ), तारीख 26 िुलाई, 2017 में 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;ै
2624 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
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) एव ं
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, खडं 3, उपखंड (ii) म ें का.आ. 2404(अ), तारीख 26 िुलाई, 2017 को प्रकाजित
अजधसूचना, म ेंजनम्नजलजखत सिं ोधन करती ह,ै अथाात्:-
उि अजधसूचना म,ें पैरा 5 के जलए, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखे िाएगं े, अथाात्: -
“5. जनगरानी सजमजत. – केंरीर् सरकार एक जनगरानी सजमती का गिन करेगी, िो जनम्नजलजखत व्यजिर्ों से जमलकर
बनेगी, अथाात्: -
(1) जिला मजिस्ट्रेट, दकन्नौर - अध्र्क्ष, पिेन;
(2) पर्ाावरण र्ा वन्द्र्िीव (जवरासत संरक्षण सजहत) के क्षेत्र में काम करन ेवाले एक - सिस्ट् र्;
गैर-सरकारी संगिन का एक प्रजतजनजध जिसे जहमाचल प्रिेि सरकार द्वारा प्रत्र्ेक
तीन विा के जलए जहमाचल प्रििे सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िष्टा दकर्ा िाएगा।
(3) पाररजस्ट्थजतकी और पर्ाावरण के क्षेत्र म ेंएक जविेिज्ञ को प्रत्र्ेक तीन वि ा के जलए - सिस्ट् र्;
जहमाचल प्रिेि सरकार द्वारा नामजनर्िाष्ट दकर्ा िाएगा।
(4) सिस्ट्र् सजचव र्ा सिस्ट्र्, राज्र् िैव जवजवधता बोडा - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(5) कार्ाकारी अजभर्ंता, जहमाचल प्रिेि राज्र् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा - सिस्ट् र्, पिेन;
(6) उप जिला मजिस्ट्रेट, कल्पा - सिस्ट् र्, पिने ;
(7) प्रभागीर् वनाजधकारी, प्रािेजिक - सिस्ट् र्, पिने ;
(8) प्रभागीर् वन अजधकारी (वन्द्र्िीव) - सिस्ट् र् सजचव,
पिेन।
(2) जनगरानी सजमजत, स्ट्थल जवजिष्ट वास्ट्तजवक पररजस्ट्थजतर्ों के आधार पर उन दिर्ाकलापों की िााँच करेगी िब
दक भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण और वन मंत्रालर् की तारीख 14 जसतम्बर, 2006 की अजधसूचना सं. का.आ. 1533
(अ) की अनुसूची में िाजमल ह ैंऔर पाररजस्ट्थजतकी संवेिी िोन के अंतगात आती हों, उसके पैरा 4 के अधीन िी गर्ी सारणी म ें
र्था जवजनर्िाष् ट जनजिद्ध दिर्ाकलापों को छोड़कर और उक्त अजधसूचना के उपबंधों के अधीन पर्ाावरणीर् अनापजत्त के जलए
भारत सरकार के पर्ाावरण, वन एवं िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर् र्ा रािकीर् पर्ाावरण समाघात आकलन प्राजधकरण के पास
भेिे गर् ेह।ैं
(3) ऐस े दिर्ाकलापों, िो उप-पैरा (1) म ें जनर्िष्टा अजधसूचना की अनुसूची म ें िाजमल नहीं ह ै और पाररजस्ट्थजतकी
संवेिी िोन के भीतर आत े ह,ैं इसके पैरा 4 की सारणी म ेंजनजिद्ध दिर्ाकलापों को छोड़कर, की िााँच जनगरानी सजमजत द्वारा
स्ट् थल जवजिष्ट वास्ट् तजवक पररजस्ट्थजतर्ों के आधार पर की िार्गे ी और इन्द् ह ें जवजनर्ामक प्राजधकरणों के पास भेिा िाएगा।
(4) जनगरानी सजमजत के सिस्ट् र् सजचव र्ा उप आर्िु र्ा उप वन संरक्षक इस अजधसूचना के उपबंधों का उल्ल ंघन
करने वाले दकसी भी व् र्जि के जवरुद्ध पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 की धारा 19 के अधीन जिकार्त फाइल करन े
के जलए सक्षम होंगे।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(5) जनगरानी सजमजत मामले-िर-मामल े के आधार पर आवश् र्कताओं के अनुसार अपन े जवचार-जवमि ा में सहार्ता
के जलए संबंजधत जवभाग के प्रजतजनजध र्ा जविेिज्ञ, उद्योग सघं ों के प्रजतजनजध र्ा संबंजधत पणधाररर्ों को आमंजत्रत कर सकती
ह।ै
(6) जनगरानी सजमजत प्रत् र्ेक विा के 31 माचा तक की अवजध की अपनी गजतजवजधर्ों की वार्िाक कारावाई ररपोटा उस
विा के 30 िनू तक राज्र् के मुखर् वन्द् र्िीव वाडान को उपाबंध-lll में जवजनर्िाष् ट प्रो-फामाा में प्रस्ट्त ुत करेगी।
(7) केंरीर् सरकार अपन ेकार्ों के प्रभावी जनवाहन के जलए जनगरानी सजमजत को जलजखत रूप म ेंऐसे जनिेि ि ेसकती
ह,ै िैसा वह उजचत समझे।”
[फा0स0ं 25/193/2015-ईएसिेड-आरई]
डॉ. स.ु केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘’िी’’
रटप्पण.--मलू अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग ।।, खडं 3, उप खंड (ii) म ें तारीख 26 िलु ाई, 2017 को
जवस्ट्तृत का.आ. 2404 (अ) के माध् र्म से प्रकाजित की गई थी।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 17th April, 2025
S.O. 1795(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 Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh in the Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 2404(E), dated the 26th July, 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. 2404(E), dated the 26th July, 2017;
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, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide S.O. 2404(E), dated the 26th
July, 2017, namely:-
“5. Monitoring Committee. - The Central Government hereby constitutes a Monitoring Committee consisting of
the following persons, namely: -
(i) District Magistrate, Kinnaur Chairman, ex-officio;
(ii) 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
Himachal Pradesh from time to time every three years4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(iii) An expert in the area of ecology and environment to be Member;
nominated by the Government of Himachal Pradesh from time
to time every three years.
(iv) Member Secretary or Member, State Biodiversity Board Member, ex-officio;
(v) Executive Engineer, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Member, ex-officio;
Board
(vi) Sub District Magistrate, Kalpa Member, ex-officio;
(vii) Divisional Forest Officer, Territorial Member, ex-officio;
(viii) Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) 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 Forest,
vide 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.
(3) The activities not covered in the Schedule to the notification referred to in sub-paragraph (2) 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.
(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 concerned, representative
from industry associations or stakeholders to assist in its deliberations depending on the requirements on case to
case basis.
(6) 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 of the State in proforma 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. 25/193/2015-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. 2404(E), dated the 26th July, 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.