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Date: 2025-03-25 Category: Extra Ordinary State: Union Government Country: India

Amendment of ESZ around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary Chandigarh

Issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · ESZ Division

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Key Changes

  • The notification replaces paragraphs 5 and 6 of the original notification with new paragraphs that detail the composition and functions of the Monitoring Committee.
  • The Monitoring Committee will now consist of the following members: Chief Conservator of Forest cum Chief Wildlife Warden (Chairman), Chief Architect, Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer of Municipal Corporation, Director of Rural Development and Panchayat, Member-Secretary of Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, a representative from an environmental NGO, an expert in ecology and environment, a member of the State Biodiversity Board, and Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) as Member-Secretary.
  • The functions of the Monitoring Committee include: scrutinizing activities within the ESZ based on site-specific conditions, referring activities for prior environmental clearances, reviewing activities not covered in the schedule, and referring them to regulatory authorities.
  • The Member-Secretary of the Monitoring Committee, the Collector, or the Deputy Conservator of Forests are authorized to file complaints against violators of the notification under Section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • The Monitoring Committee can invite representatives or experts from relevant departments, industry associations, or stakeholders for assistance.
  • The Monitoring Committee must submit an annual action taken report by June 30th of each year, detailing activities up to March 31st of that year, to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State, in a specified pro-forma.
  • The Central Government can issue written directions to the Monitoring Committee for the effective discharge of its functions.

What it means

  • The notification amends the earlier notification S.O. 185(E) dated January 18, 2017, regarding the declaration of an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh.
  • The amendment primarily focuses on reconstituting the Monitoring Committee for the ESZ and defining its functions.

Impact Analysis

Government Bodies (Chandigarh Administration, Forest Department, Pollution Control Committee, etc.)

  • The monitoring committee is empowered to scrutinize activities and refer cases to regulatory authorities, which may increase the workload of these authorities.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the field of environment

  • Need to ensure that their representative is well-versed in environmental regulations and local ecological conditions.

Ecology and Environment Experts

  • Need to remain objective and unbiased in their assessments.

Industries and Project Proponents within the ESZ

  • Potential for increased costs due to compliance requirements and environmental impact assessments.

General Public

  • Increased awareness of environmental issues and the importance of conservation.

Suggested Action Items

  • The Central Government should provide necessary funding and technical assistance to support the Monitoring Committee's work.

Key Entities Referenced

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The principal legislation under which the Eco-Sensitive Zone is declared and regulated. Section 3 provides the Central Government with the power to take measures to protect and improve the environment. Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: Rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which provide the procedures and guidelines for declaring and managing Eco-Sensitive Zones. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh: The protected area around which the Eco-Sensitive Zone is being established to provide a buffer against potential environmental threats. Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ): Area around a protected area declared by the government to minimize the impact of development activities on the protected area. Monitoring Committee: A committee constituted by the Central Government to monitor the activities within the Eco-Sensitive Zone and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Notification S.O. 185(E), dated the 18th January, 2017: The original notification declaring the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, which is being amended by this current notification. Notification S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006: Notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forest, which contains the schedule of activities to be scrutinised.
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