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Core Purpose

The Central Government hereby intends to notify an area with an extent up to 2 kilometres from the boundary of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary, in South 24 Parganas District in the State of West Bengal as the Eco-sensitive Zone.

Detailed Summary

This notification, S.O. 2136 (E) dated 14th May, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, establishes an Eco-sensitive Zone around the Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal. The Sanctuary, notified by the State Government of West Bengal vide notification No. 5388 dated 24th June, 1976, covers 5.95 sq km. Acting under powers from Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government notifies an area extending uniformly up to 2.0 kilometres from the Sanctuary boundary as the Eco-sensitive Zone, covering approximately 26.81 sq km. A draft notification (S.O. 4761 (E), dated 30th October, 2024) was previously published, and no objections were received. The notification mandates the State Government to prepare a Zonal Master Plan within two years, in consultation with relevant departments, regulating land use, tourism, pollution control (noise, air, water, waste), and construction activities. A detailed table lists prohibited activities (e.g., commercial mining, polluting industries, hazardous substances, untreated effluent discharge) and regulated activities (e.g., hotels/resorts, construction, non-polluting industries, felling of trees, collection of forest produce). Promoted activities include rain water harvesting, organic farming, green technology, and cottage industries. A Monitoring Committee, chaired by the District Magistrate, 24 Parganas (South), is constituted to scrutinise activities, ensure compliance, and report annually. The notification's provisions are subject to orders from the Supreme Court, High Court, or National Green Tribunal. Specific boundary details and coordinates are appended in Annexures.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-15052025-263112 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 2089] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025/VAISAKHA 24, 1947 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 14th May,2025 S.O. 2136 (E). – WHEREAS a draft notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number S.O. 4761 (E), dated the 30th October, 2024, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby, within a 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 30th October, 2024; AND WHEREAS no objections, comments and suggestions were received from persons and stakeholders in respect of the said draft notification; AND WHEREAS the Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary located in 24-Parganas district of West Bengal with an area of 5.95 square kilometres, was notified by the State Government of West Bengal vide notification No. 5388 dated the 24th June, 1976. AND WHEREAS the Halliday Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the confluence of the Matla river and the Bay of Bengal and forms a transitional ecotone which supports a unique diversity of flora and fauna and it is popular for its scenic beauty such as forest landscape with its riverine ecosystem and the area supports Mangrove forests and littoral or supra littoral forest flora-faunal assemblage within this smallest Sundarbans island of 5.95 square kilometers; AND WHEREAS The Sanctuary also supports a number of vulnerable species including Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Estuarine crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), Fishing cat (Felis viverrina Bennett), Estuarine otter (Lutra lutra), Jackal (Canis aureus), Chital (Axis axis), Wild pig (Sus scrofa) etc.; AND WHEREAS the avifaunal species recorded from the Sanctuary includes Cotton pygmy goose (Nettapus Coromandelianus), Common Teal (Anas crecca), Pintail (Anas acuta), Gadwall (Anas strepera), European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius (Gmelin), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela ), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrines), Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) etc.; AND WHEREAS the fish species found in the area includes Ganges Shark (Glyphis gangeticus), Hammer head Shark (Sphyrna blochi), Guitar fish (Rhinobatos annandalei), Hangar (Dasyatis sephors), Butter Fish (Stromateus sinensis), Silver Pomfret (Pampus chirensis), Bengal Tongue Fish (Cynoglossus cynoglossus), Gangetic Hairfin Anchovy (Setipinna phasa (Hamilton), Mottled Eel (Anguilla bengalensis), Blackfin Sea Cat Fish (Arius jella) etc.; AND WHEREAS the floral species recorded from the area includes Harguza (Acanthus ilicifolius L), amur (Aglaie cuculata (Roxb) Pellegrin), Lata Sundari (B. parviflora), Banjai (Clerodendrum inerme (L) Geartn.), Math Goran (C. Tagal (Prrottet) C.S. Robinson), Kripe (Lumnitzera racemosa Wild), Dudhilata (Finlaysonia obovata L), Golpata (Nypa fruiticans Wurmb.), Keya (Pandanus tectorius Soland), Ora (S. griffithii kurz) etc.; AND WHEREAS it is necessary to conserve and protect the area, surrounding the boundaries of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary which are specified in paragraph 1 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) (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 intends to notify an area with an extent up to 2 kilometres from the boundary of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary, in South 24 Parganas District in the State of West Bengal as the Eco-sensitive Zone (hereafter in this notification referred to as the Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone) details of which are as under, namely: - 1. Extent and boundaries of the Eco-Sensitive Zone.- (1) The Eco-Sensitive Zone shall be to an extent of uniform 2.0 kilometres from the boundary of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary and the area of the Eco- sensitive Zone is approximately 26.81 Square kilometres. (2) The boundary description of Eco-Sensitive Zone around Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is appended as Annexure-I. (3) The topographical map and Google Imagery map of Eco-Sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure- II-A and Annexure- II-B. (4) Geo Coordinates of the boundary of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco sensitive zone are appended as Annexure -III-A and Annexure-III- B. (5) No revenue villages are located 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) Environment; (iii) Agriculture; (iv) Fisheries; (v) Tourism; (vi) Irrigation and Waterways; (vii)Disaster Management and Civil defence; (viii) Inland Waterways Department, Government of West Bengal; (ix) Panchayati Raj and Rural Development; (x) Sundarbans Affairs. (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-friendlier. (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. Any activity upstream up to 10 kilometers over the rivers passing through the West Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary, which may increase the likelihood of bank erosion, flooding, water pollution, stoppage of ecological and natural flow which require a prior clearance from the Authority of the West Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary. (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 preparation and approval of the Zonal Master Plan, any new developmental activities shall be governed by provisions specified at paragraph 6 of sub-para (1) and (2). 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, parks 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) Bank stabilisation or protection structure and measures. (ii) widening and strengthening of existing roads or jetty and construction of new road, jetty including bridges, culverts etc.; (iii) river dredging and dredging of waterways as per the applicable rules and guidelines; (iv) construction and renovation of socially desirable public infrastructure, electricity, drinking water, irrigation and other basic civic amenities; (v) Construction and renovation of disaster shelter and related works to protect people from natural disaster viz. cyclone, storm, etc.; (vi) cottage industries including village artisans, etc.; (vii) local amenities supporting eco-tourism including home stay; (viii) Construction and renovation of security forces camp or patrolling camps, and (ix) promoted activities given in paragraph 4: (b) Effort shall be made to reforest or afforest the unused land, unproductive agricultural lands and river banks with mangrove species; 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 correction of error shall not include change of land use in any case except as provided under this sub-paragraph; (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 kilometre 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 (as amended from time to time) 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 and as amended from time to time. (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: (a) 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 and as amended from time to time; the inorganic material may be disposed in an environmental acceptable manner at site identified outside the Eco-sensitive Zone; (b) the local authorities shall draw up plans for the segregation of solid wastes into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components; (c) the biodegradable material shall be recycled preferably through composting or vermiculture; (d) the inorganic material may be disposed in an environmentally acceptable manner at site(s) identified outside the Eco-sensitive Zone and no burning or incineration of solid wastes shall he permitted in 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, as amended from time to time. (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, as amended from time to time. (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, as amended from time to time. (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; (b) 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, as amended from time to time, 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. 4. 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 (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and the rules made there under and other notifications, laws and Acts of the Government of India pertaining to environment, forests and wildlife, in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forest, vide number 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and laws for the time being in force in the manner and as amended from time to time specified in the Table below, namely TABLE +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |S. No|Activity |Description | +=====+===================================================================+=================================================================================+ |(1) |(2) |(3) | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | |A. Prohibited Activities | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |1. |Commercial mining, stone |(a) All new and existing mining (minor and major minerals), | | |quarrying and crushing units. |stone quarrying and crushing units shall be prohibited | | | |with immediate effect except for meeting the domestic | | | |needs of bona fide local residents including digging of | | | |earth for construction or repair of houses within Eco- | | | |sensitive Zone; | | | |(b) The mining operations shall be carried out in accordance | | | |with the order(s) of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, dated | | | |the 4th August, 2006 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman | | | |Thirumulpad Vs. UOI in W.P.(C) No.202 of 1995; dated | | | |the 21st April, 2014 in the matter of Goa Foundation Vs. | | | |UOI in W.P.(C) No.435 of 2012; and IA No. 1000 of | | | |2003 dated the 03rd June, 2022 and subsequent IA No. | | | |131377 of 2022 judgment dated the 26th April, 2023 and | | | |the 28th April, 2023. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |2. |Setting of industries causing |No new or expansion of polluting industries in the Eco-sensitive | | |pollution (Water, Air, Soil, |Zone shall be permitted. Pollution prevention technologies and | | |Noise, etc.). |noise barriers should be installed by existing industries. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |3. |Establishment of major |Prohibited. | | |hydroelectric project. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |4. |Use or production or processing |Prohibited. | | |of any hazardous substance. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |5. |Discharge of untreated effluents |Prohibited. | | |in natural water bodies or land | | | |area. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |6. |Setting up of saw mills. |New or expansion of existing saw mills shall not be permitted | | | |within the Eco-sensitive Zone. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |7. |Setting up of brick kilns. |Prohibited. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |8. |Use of polythene bags. |Prohibited. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |9. |Commercial use of firewood. |Prohibited. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |10. |Discharge of treated waste |Prohibited. | | |water/effluents in natural water | | | |bodies or land area. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |11. |Commercial extraction of |Prohibited. | | |surface and ground water. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |12. |Establishment of |Prohibited. | | |Solid/Plastic/E-Waste and Bio- | | | |Medical waste Management | | | |facility. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |13. |Introduction of Exotic species. |Prohibited. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | |B. Regulated Activities | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |14. |Commercial establishment of |No new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted | | |hotels and resorts. |within one kilometre of the boundary of the Protected Area or | | | |upto the extent of Eco-sensitive zone, whichever is nearer, | | | |except for small temporary structures for Eco-tourism | | | |activities; | | | |Provided that, beyond one kilometre from the boundary of the | | | |protected Area or upto the extent of Eco-sensitive Zone | | | |whichever is nearer, all new tourist activities or expansion of | | | |existing activities shall be in conformity with the Tourism | | | |Master Plan and guidelines as applicable. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |15. |Construction activities. |(a) New commercial construction of any kind shall not be | | | |permitted within one kilometre from the boundary of the | | | |Protected Area or upto for extent of the Eco-sensitive | | | |Zone whichever is nearer: | | | |Provided that, local people shall be permitted to undertake | | | |construction in their land for their use including the | | | |activities listed in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 as per | | | |building bye-laws to meet the residential needs of the local | | | |residents: | | | |Provided further that the construction activity related to | | | |small scale industries not causing pollution shall be | | | |regulated and kept at the minimum, with the prior | | | |permission from the competent authority as per applicable | | | |rules and regulations, if any. | | | |(b) Beyond one kilometer it shall be regulated as per the | | | |Zonal Master Plan. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |16. |Small-scale |Non-polluting industries as per classification of industries | | |non-polluting industries. |issued by the Central Pollution Control Board in February, | | | |2016, as amended from time to time, and non-hazardous, | | | |small-scale and service industry, agriculture, floriculture, | | | |horticulture or agro-based industry producing products from | | | |indigenous materials from the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be | | | |permitted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |17. |Felling of trees. |(a) There shall be no felling of trees in the forest or | | | |Government or revenue or private lands without prior | | | |permission of the competent authority in the State | | | |Government. | | | |(b) The felling of trees shall be regulated in accordance | | | |with the provisions of the concerned Central or State | | | |Act and the rules made there under. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |18. |Collection of Forest Produce or |Regulated under applicable laws. | | |Non-Timber Forest Produce. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |19. |Erection of electrical and |Regulated under applicable laws of underground cabling may | | |communication towers and |be promoted. | | |laying of cables and other | | | |infrastructures. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |20. |Infrastructure including civic |Taking measures of mitigation, as per applicable laws, rules | | |amenities. |and regulation and available guidelines. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |21. |Widening and strengthening of |Taking measures of mitigation | | |existing roads and construction |with proper Environment Impact Assessment, as per | | |of new roads. |applicable laws, rules and regulation and available guidelines. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |22. |Undertaking other activities |Regulated as per the applicable laws. | | |related to tourism like over | | | |flying over the Eco-sensitive | | | |Zone area by hot air balloon, | | | |helicopter, drones, Microlites, | | | |etc. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |23. |Protection of Hill Slopes and |Regulated as per the applicable laws. | | |riverbanks. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |24. |Movement of vehicular traffic |Regulated for commercial purpose under applicable laws. | | |at night. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |25. |Ongoing agriculture and |Permitted as per the applicable laws for use of locals. | | |horticulture practices by local | | | |communities along with dairies, | | | |dairy farming, aquaculture and | | | |fisheries. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |26. |Establishment of large-scale |Regulated as per applicable laws except for meeting local | | |commercial livestock and |needs. | | |poultry farms by firms, | | | |corporate and companies. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |27. |Open Well, Bore Well, etc. for |Regulated and the activity should be strictly monitored by the | | |agriculture or other usage. |appropriate authority. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |28. |Eco-tourism. |Regulated as per the applicable laws. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |29. |Commercial Sign boards and |Regulated as per the applicable laws. | | |hoardings. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |30. |Movement of Timber |Shall be regulated as per the West Bengal Transit Rules, 2019. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |31. |Pisciculture |Not permitted inside the forest area. In other areas, species | | | |cultivated and method of cultivation will be regulated in the | | | |River Waters of Eco-sensitive Zone . | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | |C. Promoted Activities | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |32. |Rain water harvesting. |Shall be actively promoted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |33. |Organic farming. |Shall be actively promoted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |34. |Adoption of green technology |Shall be actively promoted. | | |for all activities. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |35. |Cottage industries including |Shall be actively promoted. | | |village artisans, etc. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |36. |Use of renewable energy and |Bio-gas, solar light etc. shall be actively promoted. | | |fuels. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |37. |Agro-Forestry. |Shall be actively promoted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |38. |Plantation of Horticulture and |Shall be actively promoted. | | |Herbals. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |39. |Use of eco-friendly transport. |Shall be actively promoted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |40. |Skill Development. |Shall be actively promoted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |41. |Restoration of Degraded Land |Shall be actively promoted. | | |or Forests or Habitat. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |42. |Environmental Awareness. |Shall be actively promoted. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 5. Monitoring Committee for Monitoring the Eco-Sensitive Zone Notification.- There shall be a committee to be known as Monitoring Committee constituted by the Central Government which shall comprise of the following persons specified in the Table below, namely: - +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |S.No.|Constituent of the Monitoring Committee |Designation | +=====+===================================================================+========================+ |(1) |(2) |(3) | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(i) |The District Magistrate 24 Parganas (South) District, |Chairman, ex-officio; | | |Government of West Bengal. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(ii) |A representative of a Non-governmental Organization |Member; | | |working in the field of environment and wildlife conservation | | | |(including heritage conservation) to be nominated by the State | | | |Government from time to time every three years. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(iii)|An expert in the area of ecology and environment from a |Member; | | |reputed University or Institution to be nominated by the State | | | |Government from time to time every three years. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(iv) |An expert in Biodiversity to be nominated by the State |Member, | | |Government from time to time every three years. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(v) |A representative from Irrigation and Waterways |Member, ex-officio; | | |Department, Government of West Bengal. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(vi) |A representative from Sundarbans Affairs Department. |Member, ex-officio; | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(vii)|A representative from State Pollution Control Board. |Member, ex-officio; | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(viii)|A representative from the Fisheries Department. |Member, ex-officio; | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(ix) |Representative of Panchayat and Rural Development |Member, ex-officio; | | |Department, Government of West Bengal. | | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ |(x) |Divisional Forest Officer, 24 Parganas (South) Division. |Member Secretary | | | |ex-officio. | +-----+-------------------------------------------------------------------+------------------------+ 6. Functions of the 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 Forest, 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 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 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 concerned Collector or the concerned 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 concerned Department, representative from industry associations or concerned stakeholders to assist in its deliberations depending on the requirements on case to case basis. (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 of the State in pro-forma specified in Annexure-IV, appended to this notification. (6) The Central Government may give such directions in writing, as it deems fit, to the Monitoring Committee for effective discharge of its functions. 7. Additional Measures.- The Central Government and State Government may specify additional measures, if any, for giving effect to provisions of this notification. 8. Supreme Court, etc. orders.- The provisions of this notification shall be subject to the orders, if any passed or to be passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India or High Court or the National Green Tribunal. [F. No. 25/03/2024- ESZ] DR. S. KERKETTA, Scientist 'G' Annexure I Boundary Description of the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary +-------------------------+------+----------------+--------------------------+----------+---------------------------+--------+ |Name of the Eco- |Side |Width |Island/ Range/ |Villages |Specific Areas |Rivers | |Sensitive Zone | | |Area | |(Reserve Forest | | | | | | | |Compartment) | | +=========================+======+================+==========================+==========+===========================+========+ | |North |2 km radius |Nil |Nil |Nil |Matla | +-------------------------+------+----------------+--------------------------+----------+---------------------------+--------+ |Halliday Island |East |2 km |Sundarbans |Nil |Sundarbans Tiger |Matla | |Wildlife | |radius |Tiger Reserve | |Reserve | | |Sanctuary | | | | | | | |Eco-Sensitive |South |2 km |Nil |Nil |Nil |Matla | |Zone | | | | | | | +-------------------------+------+----------------+--------------------------+----------+---------------------------+--------+ | |West |2 km radius |Eco-Sensitive |Nil |Nil |Matla | | | | |Zone of West | | | | | | | |Sundarbans | | | | | | | |Wildlife | | | | | | | |Sanctuary | | | | +-------------------------+------+----------------+--------------------------+----------+---------------------------+--------+ Annexure II-A Topographical Map of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary with important points: Halliday Island WLS & 2km ESZ (on Topographic Map) Legend GPS on WLS and ESZ HallidayWLS_2kmESZ HallidayWLS Sources. Esri, HD, FAO, NPS, NRCA, Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, © OpenStreetMap contributors and the GIS User Community. Annexure II-B Google Imagery Map of Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary with important points. Halliday Island WLS & 2km ESZ (on Satellite Imagery) Legend GPS on WLS and ESZ HallidayWLS_2kmESZ HallidayWLS Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community Annexure III-A GEO COORDINATES OF HALLIDAY ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY BOUNDARY +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |S. No|Waypoint on the Halliday |Latitude |Longitude | | |Wildlife Sanctuary Boundary | | | +=====+===========================================+=======================+=======================+ |1. |1 |21°40'29.508"N |88°38'19.196"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |2. |2 |21°39'26.706"N |88°37'52.668"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |3. |3 |21°38'53.14"N |88°37'43.464"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |4. |4 |21°39'44.031"N |88°37'41.84"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |5. |5 |21°40'10.559"N |88°37'56.458"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ Annexure III-B GEO COORDINATES OF THE IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE BOUNDARY OF HALLIDAY ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |S. No|Waypoint on the Eco- |Latitude |Longitude | | |sensitive Zone Boundary | | | +=====+===========================================+=======================+=======================+ |1. |1A |21°41'25.812"N |88°38'52.221"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |2. |2A |21°39'3.426"N |88°39'1.425"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |3. |3A |21°37'44.924"N |88°37'48.878"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |4. |4A |21°40'3.521"N |88°36'36.331"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |5. |5A |21°40'45.208"N |88°36'56.904"E | +-----+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ Annexure-IV Proforma of Action Taken Report: 1. Number and date of meetings. 2. Minutes of the meetings: (mention noteworthy points. Attach minutes of the meeting as separate Annexure). 3. Status of preparation of Zonal Master Plan including Tourism Master Plan. 4. Summary of cases dealt with rectification of error apparent on face of land record (Eco-sensitive Zone wise). Details may be attached as Annexure. 5. Summary of cases scrutinised for activities covered under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (Details may be attached as separate Annexure). 6. Summary of cases scrutinised for activities not covered under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (Details may be attached as separate Annexure). 7. Summary of complaints lodged under section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 8. Any other matter of importance. 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.

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