Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-12012026-269260
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 109]
NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026/PAUSHA 18, 1947
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 7th January, 2026
S.O. 119(E).—– WHEREAS a draft notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II,
Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change number S.O. 2644 (E), dated the 13th June, 2025, for inviting objections and suggestions from all
persons likely to be affected thereby within the period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette
containing the said notification were made available to the public;
AND WHEREAS copies of the Gazette containing the said draft notification were made available to the public
on 14th June, 2025;
AND WHEREAS no objections, comments and suggestions were received from persons and stakeholders in
respect of the said draft notification;
AND WHEREAS the Lippa-Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary falls within the Moorang Tehsil of Pooh sub-division
of Kinnaur district. It is situated between geo-coordinates North (31° 44' 21" N and 77° 15' 00" E), East (31° 40' 32" N
and 78° 18' 07" E), South (31° 39' 29" N and 78° 17' 24" E) and West (31° 41' 27" N and 78° 13' 09" E). It is a high-
altitude area situated in the upper catchment of Taiti stream, which is an important tributary of the Sutlej River. The
altitude ranges from 3000 metre to 5122 metre and the sanctuary beholds the unique landscape of dry Trans-Himalayan
region with most of the sanctuary area being largely flat and in part barren cold desert;
AND WHEREAS the Lippa-Asrang was first notified as a sanctuary in 1974 vide Himachal Pradesh State
Government notification number 5-11/70-SP, dated 27-04-1974. Thereafter, the sanctuary was finally notified after its
rationalization under section 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) on 7 June, 2013, vide notification number FEE-
B-F(6)-11/2005-II/Lippa Asrang. The area of the Wildlife Sanctuary is 31 square kilometres;
AND WHEREAS the sanctuary and most the area are isolated both physio-graphically and climatically
consisting of forest type like Alpine Scrubs and Alpine pastures. The Sanctuary harbour many threatened flora and
fauna. The prominent species including RET species found in the sanctuary includes, Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus
jemlahicus), Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger),
Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster), Ibex (Capra ibex), Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Goral (Naemorhedus goral) etc.
The Sanctuary is home to the magnificent Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) which is State Animal of Himachal Pradesh
and a flagship species for conservation of Trans-Himalayan region;
AND WHEREAS the sanctuary is an important bird area renowned for its diverse birdlife, attracting
birdwatchers and ornithologists. The sanctuary serves as a wintering ground for several migratory birds. The avifauna
and other insects species found in the sanctuary includes Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Himalayan Griffon Vulture
(Gyps himalayensis), Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa), Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), Alpine Accentor
(Prunella collaris), Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis), Egyptian
vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Ram chakor (Alectoris chukar), White capped redstart (Phoenicurus leucocephalus),
Himalayan Buzzard (Buteo refectus), Common Banded Awl (Hasora chromus), Indian Fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius),
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Indian Skipper (Hesperia comma) etc.;
AND WHEREAS the sanctuary supports a wide variety of plant species, including many rare and endemic
ones. The varied habitats, from alpine meadows to dense forests, harbor a rich assortment of vegetation which includes
Betula utilis, Pinus wallichiana, Artemisia brevifolia, Heracleum candicans, Thymus linearis, Bergenia stracheyi,
Bistorta affinis, Rhododendron anthopogon, Cedrus deodara, Juniperus communis, Skimmia laureola, Aconitum
heterophyllum, Gentiana kurroo, Jurinea macrocephalla, Ephedra gerardiana, etc.;
AND WHEREAS it is necessary to conserve and protect the area, extent and boundary of Lippa-Asrang
Wildlife Sanctuary which is specified in paragraph 1, given below in this notification as Eco-sensitive Zone from
ecological, environmental and biodiversity point of view and to prohibit industries or class of industries and their
operations and processes in the said Eco-Sensitive Zone;
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 (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby notifies an Eco-Sensitive
Zone around the boundary of Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary (herein after referred to as the Eco-sensitive Zone)
details of which are as under, namely: -
**1. Extent and boundaries of Eco-Sensitive Zone.-** (1) The Eco-sensitive Zone is extends from 1 kilometre to 20.527
kilometre around the boundary of Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary encompassing Eco-sensitive Zone area of
298.469 square kilometre. Out of this 125.68 square kilometre land is waste land, 155.08 square kilometre is snow
covered, 14.74 square kilometre is grassland and streams accounts for 1.969 square kilometre.
(2) The boundary description of the Eco Sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure I.
(3) The various maps of the Eco-sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure II A, Annexure II B and Annexure
II C and Annexure II D
(4) Geo Coordinates on the boundary of Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-sensitive zone are appended
as Annexure-III.
(5) There are no village within the Eco-sensitive Zone.
**2. Zonal Master Plan for Eco-Sensitive Zone.-** (1) The State Government shall, for the purposes 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) Forest;
(ii) Revenue;
(iii) Agriculture and Horticulture;
(iv) Panchayati Raj and Rural Development;
(v) Irrigation and Flood Control;
(vi) Tourism;
(vii) Municipal and Urban Development;
(viii) Public Works Department and Highways;
(ix) Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board; and
(x) Environment.
(4) The Zonal Master Plan shall also ensure that no restrictions are imposed 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, green area, such as, parks, 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.
(10) Pending the preparation of the Zonal Master Plan for Eco-sensitive Zone and approval these of, any new
developmental activities shall be governed by provisions specified at sub-para (1) and (2) of paragraph 6.
**3. Measures to be taken by the State Government.** - 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, orchards, parks, lakes and open spaces earmarked
for recreational purposes in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall not be used or converted into areas for commercial or
residential or industrial activities:
Provided that the conversion of agricultural and other lands, for the purposes other than that specified
at part (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 the Central Government or the State Government as applicable and vide
provisions of this notification, to meet the residential needs of the local residents and for activities 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
eco-tourism including home stay; and
(v) promoted activities given in paragraph 4:
Provided further that no use of tribal land shall be permitted for commercial and industrial development
activities without the prior approval of the competent authority under Regional Town Planning Act and other
rules and regulations of the State Government and without compliance of the provisions of article 244 of the
Constitution or the law for the time being in force, including the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007):
Provided also that any error appearing in the land records within the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be
corrected by the State Government, after obtaining the views of Monitoring Committee, once in each case and
the correction of said error shall be intimated to the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change:
Provided also that the above correction of error shall not include change of land use in any case except
as provided under this sub-paragraph:
Provided also that there shall be no consequential reduction in green area, such as forest area and
agricultural area and agricultural area and efforts shall be made to reforest the unused or unproductive agricultural areas with
afforestation and habitat restoration activities.
**(2) Natural water bodies.-** The catchment areas of all natural springs shall be identified and plans for their
conservation and rejuvenation shall be incorporated in the Zonal Master Plan and the guidelines shall be drawn
up by the State Government in such a manner as to prohibit development activities at or near these areas which
are detrimental to such areas.
**(3) Tourism or eco-tourism.-** (a) All new eco-tourism activities or expansion of existing tourism activities within
the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be as per the Tourism Master Plan for the Eco-sensitive Zone.-
(b) the Tourism Master Plan shall be prepared by the State Department of Tourism in consultation with the
State Departments of Environment and Forests;
(c) the Tourism Master Plan shall form a component of the Zonal Master Plan;
(d) the Tourism Master Plan shall be drawn based on the study of carrying capacity of the Eco-sensitive
Zone;
(e) the activities of eco-tourism shall be regulated as under, namely:-
(i) new construction of hotels and resorts shall not be allowed within one kilometre from the boundary
of the protected area or upto the extent of the Eco-sensitive Zone, whichever is nearer:
Provided that beyond the distance of one kilometer from the boundary of the protected area till
the extent of the Eco-sensitive Zone, the establishment of new hotels and resorts shall be allowed
only in pre-defined and designated areas for eco-tourism facilities as per Tourism Master Plan;
(ii) all new tourism activities or expansion of existing tourism activities within the Eco-sensitive Zone
shall be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Government and the eco-tourism
guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with emphasis on eco-tourism, eco-
education and eco-development;
(iii) until the Zonal Master Plan is approved, development for tourism and expansion of existing tourism
activities shall be permitted by the concerned regulatory authorities based on the actual site specific
scrutiny and recommendation of the Monitoring Committee and no new hotel, resort or commercial
establishment construction shall be permitted within Eco-sensitive Zone area.
**(4) Natural heritage.-** All sites of valuable natural heritage in the Eco-sensitive Zone, such as the gene pool
reserve areas, rock formations, waterfalls, springs, gorges, groves, caves, points, walks, rides, cliffs, etc. shall
be identified and a heritage conservation plan shall be drawn up for their preservation and conservation as a
part of the Zonal Master Plan.
**(5) Man-made heritage sites.-** Buildings, structures, artefacts, areas and precincts of historical, architectural,
aesthetic, and cultural significance shall be identified in the Eco-sensitive Zone and heritage conservation plan
for their conservation shall be prepared as part of the Zonal Master Plan.
**(6) Noise pollution.** - Prevention and control of noise pollution in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out in
accordance with the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
**(7) Air pollution.-** Prevention and control of air pollution in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out in
accordance with the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (14 of 1981) and
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the rules made there under these Acts.
**(8) Discharge of effluents.-** The discharge of treated effluent in Eco-sensitive Zone shall be in accordance with
the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974) and Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 and the rules made there under these Acts.
**(9) Solid wastes.-** Disposal and Management of solid wastes shall be as under:-
(i) the solid waste disposal and management in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out in accordance
with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, published by the Government of India in the Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide notification number S.O. 1357 (E), dated the 8th April,
2016 the inorganic material may be disposed in an environmental acceptable manner at site identified
outside the Eco-sensitive Zone;
(ii) safe and Environmentally Sound Management of solid wastes in conformity with the existing rules and
regulations using identified technologies may be allowed within the Eco-Sensitive zone.
**(10) Bio-Medical Waste.-** Bio-medical Waste Management shall be as under:-
(a) the Bio-medical Waste disposal in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out in accordance with the Bio-
Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, published by the Government of India in the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide notification number G.S.R. 343 (E), dated the 28th March,
2016;
(b) safe and Environmentally Sound Management of Bio-Medical Wastes in conformity with the existing rules
and regulations using identified technologies may be allowed within the Eco-sensitive Zone.
**(11) Plastic waste management.-** The plastic waste management in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out as
per the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, published by the Government of India in the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide notification number G.S.R. 340(E), dated the
18th March, 2016.
**(12) Construction and demolition waste management.-** The construction and demolition waste management in
the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out as per the provisions of the Construction and Demolition Waste
Management Rules, 2016 published by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change vide notification number G.S.R. 317(E), dated the 29th March, 2016.
**(13) E-waste.-** The e- waste management in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be carried out as per the provisions of the
E-Waste Management Rules, 2016, published by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change.
**(14) Vehicular traffic.–** The vehicular movement of traffic shall be regulated in a habitat friendly manner and
specific provisions in this regard shall be incorporated in the Zonal Master Plan and till such time as the Zonal
Master plan is prepared and approved by the competent authority in the State Government, the Monitoring
Committee shall monitor compliance of vehicular movement under the relevant Acts and the rules and
regulations made thereunder.
**(15) Vehicular pollution.-** Prevention and control of vehicular pollution shall be incompliance with applicable laws
and efforts shall be made for use of cleaner fuels.
**(16) Industrial units.–** (a) On or after the publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, no new polluting
industries shall be permitted to be set up within the Eco-sensitive Zone;
(c) only non-polluting industries shall be allowed within Eco-sensitive Zone as per the classification of
Industries in the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board in February, 2016 unless so
specified in this notification, and in addition, the non-polluting cottage industries shall be promoted.
**(17) Protection of hill slopes.-** The protection of hill slopes shall be as under:-
(a) the Zonal Master Plan shall indicate areas on hill slopes where no construction shall be permitted;
(b) construction on existing steep hill slopes or slopes with a high degree of erosion shall not be permitted.
**List of activities prohibited or to be regulated within Eco-sensitive Zone.-** All activities in the Eco-Sensitive
Zone shall be governed by the provisions of the Environment Act and the rules made there under including the
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and other applicable laws including the Forest (Conservation)
Act, 1980 (69 of 1980), the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927), the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (53 of 1972), and
be regulated in the manner specified in the Table below, namely:-
TABLE
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## The Future of Remote Work: Trends and Predictions
The landscape of work has undergone a seismic shift, with remote work emerging as a transformative force. What began as a necessity during the pandemic has evolved into a sustainable and often preferred mode of operation for countless organizations and individuals worldwide. As we look ahead, the future of remote work is poised for continued growth and innovation, driven by technological advancements, evolving employee expectations, and a deeper understanding of its benefits and challenges.
### Key Trends Shaping Remote Work
**1. Hybrid Models Dominance:**
While fully remote setups gained traction, the most prevalent future model is expected to be hybrid. This involves employees splitting their time between working from home and coming into a physical office. Companies are recognizing the value of in-person collaboration and team building, alongside the flexibility and focus that remote work provides. The exact split will vary widely based on company culture, industry, and individual roles.
**2. Asynchronous Communication as a Standard:**
The shift to remote and hybrid work necessitates a re-evaluation of communication strategies. Asynchronous communication, where information is exchanged without the need for immediate, real-time responses, will become more standardized. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and project management software with robust comment and update features enable teams to work across different time zones and schedules efficiently, reducing the need for constant meetings.
**3. Enhanced Focus on Digital Employee Experience (DEX):**
As work primarily happens in digital spaces, the quality of the digital employee experience becomes paramount. This encompasses everything from reliable IT infrastructure and user-friendly software to effective cybersecurity measures and personalized tech support. Organizations will invest heavily in ensuring their remote workforce has seamless access to the tools and resources they need to be productive and engaged.
**4. Location-Agnostic Talent Acquisition:**
Remote work has broken down geographical barriers, allowing companies to tap into a global talent pool. This trend will intensify, leading to more diverse and skilled workforces. Organizations will prioritize skills and experience over proximity, fostering a more equitable hiring landscape and potentially driving down labor costs for certain roles.
**5. Evolution of Physical Office Spaces:**
The traditional office will transform from a daily workspace to a hub for collaboration, innovation, and community building. Offices will be redesigned to facilitate team meetings, workshops, and social events, rather than individual desk work. "Hot desking" and flexible office layouts will become common, optimizing space utilization for less frequent in-office attendance.
**6. Increased Investment in Remote Work Tools and Technologies:**
The market for remote work technology will continue to boom. This includes advanced video conferencing platforms, virtual collaboration whiteboards, AI-powered productivity tools, and immersive technologies like VR/AR for meetings and training. Cybersecurity solutions tailored for distributed environments will also see significant investment.
**7. Data-Driven Management and Performance Measurement:**
With less direct oversight, companies will increasingly rely on data and analytics to measure productivity, engagement, and well-being of their remote teams. This involves tracking project progress, task completion rates, and employee sentiment, rather than simply hours spent online. The focus will shift from "presenteeism" to demonstrable outcomes.
**8. Well-being and Mental Health Support:**
The blurred lines between work and home life, coupled with potential feelings of isolation, have highlighted the importance of employee well-being. Companies will expand their mental health resources, offer flexible working hours, and encourage digital detoxes. A supportive culture that prioritizes work-life balance will be crucial for retaining remote talent.
### Predictions for the Future
* **Hybrid will be the Default:** By 2030, an estimated 70% of companies will operate on a hybrid model, with only a small percentage remaining fully remote or fully in-office.
* **The Four-Day Work Week Gains Momentum:** The success of remote work in proving productivity outside traditional structures will accelerate the adoption of a four-day work week, particularly for roles that can be performance-based.
* **Rise of the "Work from Anywhere" Movement:** Beyond just "work from home," the ability to work from any location globally will become a major perk. Companies will navigate complex tax and legal implications to offer this ultimate flexibility to highly valued employees.
* **Virtual Collaboration Spaces Become More Sophisticated:** Expect advanced metaverse-like platforms where teams can interact in 3D environments, simulating in-person presence with greater fidelity and functionality.
* **Emphasis on Upskilling and Reskilling for Digital Roles:** The demand for digital literacy and specialized remote collaboration skills will grow. Organizations will need to invest in continuous learning programs to keep their workforce competitive in a distributed environment.
The future of remote work is not a fleeting trend but a fundamental reshaping of how we approach our careers and organize our businesses. It promises greater flexibility, access to talent, and potentially improved work-life balance, but also demands adaptability, strategic investment in technology, and a renewed focus on employee experience and well-being. Organizations that embrace these changes will be well-positioned to thrive in the evolving global workplace.