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6327 GI/2024 (1)
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
EXTRAORDINARY
CG-DL-E-05102024-257716
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 3904] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024/ASVINA 8, 1946
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 30th September, 2024
S.O. 4262(E).—The following draft notification, which the Central Government proposes to issue in
exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), read with clause (v) and clause (xiv) of sub-section (2)
and sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) is hereby published,
as required under sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, for the information of
the public likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft notification shall be
taken into consideration on or after the expiry of a period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the
Gazette containing this notification are made available to the public;
Any person interested in making any objections or suggestions on the proposals contained in the
draft notification may forward the same in writing, for consideration of the Central Government within the
period so specified to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran
Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110 003, or send it to the e-mail address of the Ministry at
[email protected]
Draft Notification
WHEREAS, the Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary was notified by Government of Karnataka
vide notification No. FEE 57 FWL 2019, dated the 16th May, 2019 and is situated in Gadag, Mundaragi,
Shirahatti and Laxmeshwar Talukas of Gadag District of Karnataka State and is spread over an area of
244.15 Square Kilometre, the area is covered mainly by scrub forest and dry grasslands;
AND WHEREAS, the Kappathagudda Reserve Forests are unique ecosystem of flora and fauna
which includes 500 varieties of rare medicinal plants, various fauna including the Leopard, Striped
Hyena, Grey Wolf, Four Horned Antelope, Blackbuck and Bar Headed Geese. The said landscape is
known as the ‘Western Ghats of North Karnataka’;
AND WHEREAS, the reserved forests are the areas where the natural environment is prone to
get affected or harmed by the biotic pressure and therefore needs special protection. Because of the
unique features these forests deserve to be defined as "Ecologically Sensitive Area ". The diverse flora
and fauna of the area suggests that the forests are ecologically " Rich', ‘Valuable’, ‘Unique' and
irreparable if destroyed. Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary is a geological repository for the study
of the deccan traps and the schist gold deposits;
AND WHEREAS, the Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary is home to various important faunal
species such as, fresh water crocodile (Crocodylus), Blackbuck (Antelope cervicarpa), Jackal (Canis
aureus), Short nosed fruit bat (Cynopterus sphinx), Grey Langur (Semnopithecus dussumieri), Marsh
Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), and Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata). The Kappathagudda forests
are blessed with numerous plant species of great medicinal value, for example, Abelmoschus ficulneus,
Acacia chundra, Acalypha malabarica, Anisomeles indica, Atylosia albicans, Cassia absus, Eupatorium
odaratum, Ficus benghalensis, and Xanthium strumarium. The wildlife sanctuary also supports the
diverse avifaunal species such as, India peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Spot-billed duck (Anas
poecilorhyncha), Little egret (Egretta garzetta), Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), and White
backed vulture (Gyps africanus);
AND WHEREAS, due to biotic & climatic interventions, there is a threat of degradation of rich
natural forest and wildlife. Hence, there is a need to conserve this precious & irreplaceable unique
landscape. It is necessary to conserve and protect the area and boundaries around the Kappathagudda
Wildlife Sanctuary by declaring the area as Eco-Sensitive Zone from ecological and environmental
point of view;
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) (hereafter in this notification referred to as the Environment Act), read with
sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby
notifies an area to an extent of 1 km to 4.30 km, keeping the cadastral survey number as minimum
unit from the boundary of Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary in the State of Karnataka as
Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone (hereinafter after referred to as Eco-sensitive
Zone) details of which are as under, namely:-
1. Extent and boundaries of Eco-Sensitive Zone. — (1) The Eco-Sensitive Zone around the
Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary extends from 1 km to 4.30 km from its boundary, encompassing
an area of 322.695 square kilometers. This includes 298.890 square kilometers of revenue village
area and 23.804 square kilometers of notified forest area. A total of 62 villages fall within the ambit
of the ESZ. The specific extent of the ESZ in different directions is provided below:
+-----------+--------------------------------------------+
| Direction | Extent in Km (Min-Max.) |
+-----------+--------------------------------------------+
| North | 1.00 to 3.25 (Continuation of Buffer forest area) |
| Northeast | 1.00 to 1.00 |
| East | 1.00 to 1.00 |
| Southeast | 1.00 to 1.00 |
| South | 1.00 to 1.00 |
| Southwest | 1.00 to 1.22 (Continuation of Buffer forest area) |
| West | 1.00 to 4.30 (Continuation of Buffer forest area) |
| Northwest | 1.00 to 1.96 (Continuation of Buffer forest area) |
+-----------+--------------------------------------------+
(2) The boundary description of the Eco Sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure I.
(3) The Geo-coordinates of ESZ prominent points is appended as Annexure II.
(4) List of geo co-ordinates of the boundary of the Protected Area is appended as Annexure III.
(5) The map of the Protected Area demarcating the Eco-Sensitive Zone boundary with various other
maps are appended as Annexure IVA to Annexure IVF.
(6) The list of villages falling within the Eco-Sensitive Zone with its geo-coordinates is appended as
Annexure V.
(7) The detailed status of villages falling within the Eco-Sensitive Zone is appended as
Annexure VI.
(8) Survey number wise details of villages and buffer forests falling within the Eco-Sensitive is
appended as Annexure VII.
(9) List of various flora and fauna found in the Wildlife Sanctuary is appended as Annexure VIII.
2. Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-Sensitive Zone - (1) The State Government shall, for the purpose of
the Eco-Sensitive Zone prepare a Zonal Master Plan within a period of two years from the date of
publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, in consultation with local people and adhering
to the stipulations given in this notification for approval of the competent authority in the State
Government.
(2) The Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-Sensitive Zone shall be prepared by the State Government in
such manner as is specified in this notification and also in consonance with the relevant Central
and State laws and the guidelines issued by the Central Government, if any.
(3) The Zonal Master Plan shall be prepared in consultation with the following Departments of the
State Government, for integrating the ecological and environmental considerations into the said
plan:
(i) Environment;
(ii) Forest and Wildlife;
(iii) Agriculture;
(iv) Revenue;
(v) Urban Development;
(vi) Tourism;
(vii) Rural Development;
(viii) State Highways;
(ix) Irrigation & Flood Control;
(x) State Pollution Control Board;
(xi) Municipality;
(xii) Panchayati Raj; and
(xiii) Public Works Department
(4) The Zonal Master Plan shall not impose any restriction on the approved existing land use,
infrastructure and activities, unless so specified in this notification and the Zonal Master Plan
shall factor in improvement of all infrastructure and activities to be more efficient and eco friendly.
(5) The Zonal Master Plan shall provide for restoration of denuded areas, conservation of existing
water bodies, management of catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater
management, soil and moisture conservation, needs of local community and such other aspects
of the ecology and environment that need attention.
(6) The Zonal Master Plan shall demarcate all the existing worshipping places, villages and urban
settlements, types and kinds of forests, agricultural areas, fertile lands, green area, such as,
parks and like places, horticultural areas, orchards, lakes and other water bodies with
supporting maps giving details of existing and proposed land use features.
(7) The Zonal Master Plan shall regulate development in Eco-Sensitive Zone and adhere to
prohibited and regulated activities listed in the Table in paragraph 4 and also ensure and
promote eco-friendly development for security of local communities’ livelihood.
(8) The Zonal Master Plan shall be co-terminus with the Regional Development Plan.
(9) The Zonal Master Plan so approved shall be the reference document for the Monitoring
Committee for carrying out its functions of monitoring in accordance with the provisions of this
notification.
3. Measures to be taken by the State Government of Karnataka- The State Government shall take the
following measures for giving effect to the provisions of this notification, namely: -
(1) Land use. - (a) Forests, horticulture areas, agricultural areas along with parks and open spaces
earmarked for recreational purposes in the Eco-Sensitive Zone shall not be used or converted into
areas for commercial, residential, or industrial activities.
Provided that the conversion of agricultural and other lands, for the purpose other than
that specified in clause (a) above, within the Eco-sensitive Zone may be permitted on the
recommendation of the Monitoring Committee, and with the prior approval of the competent
authority under Regional Town Planning Act and other rules and regulations of Central
Government or Union Territory Government as applicable and and vide provisions of this Notification,
to meet the residential needs of the local residents such as: -
i. widening and strengthening of existing roads and construction of new roads;
ii. construction and renovation of infrastructure and civic amenities;
iii. small scale industries not causing pollution;
iv. cottage industries including village industries; convenience stores and local amenities
supporting ecotourism including home stay;
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