Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-17062025-263910
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 2637]
NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025/JYAISTHA 27, 1947
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THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: EXTRAORDINARY
[PART II-SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 13th June, 2025
S.O. 2702(E).- In supersession of the notification number S.O. 4890 (E), dated 19th September, 2018,
published by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the following draft
of the 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-110003, or send it to the e-mail address of the Ministry at esz-mef@nic.in.
Draft Notification
WHEREAS, the State Animal Barahsingha Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly known as the Hastinapur Wildlife
Sanctuary) is located across five districts in Uttar Pradesh namely, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Hapur, Bijnor, and Amroha.
Initially notified by Government of Uttar Pradesh as a Wildlife Sanctuary on July 30, 1986, under Notification number
3782/XIV3-57-84, it covered an area of 2,073 square kilometers. However, its area was later rationalised to 1,159.16
square kilometers, as per Notification number 92/81-4-2023-852-97 dated Februrary 6, 2023, issued by the Government
of Uttar Pradesh;
AND WHEREAS the State Animal Barahsingha Wildlife Sanctuary supports good diversity of wildlife
fauna which includes 41 species of mammals, 373 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 10 species of
amphibians and 79 species of fishes. The sanctuary is the important habitat of Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale
perspicillata), Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii), Common Leopard
(Panthera pardus), Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga), Black pond
turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii), Crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii), Brown roofed turtle (Pangshura smithii),
Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta), Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria), Three-striped roofed turtle
(Batagur dhongoka), Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga), Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctate),
Indian soft-shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), Indian peacock soft-shell turtle (Nilssoniahurum), Indian narrow-
headed soft-shell turtle (Chitra indica), Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), Mugger (Crocodylus palustris), Sarus
Crane (Grus Antigone), River Tern (Sterna aurantia), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Darter
(Anhinga melanogaster), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiorni smelanocephalus), Painted Stork (Mycteria
leucocephala), Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), Black-bellied Tern (Sterna acuticauda), Shikra
(Accipiter badius), Golden mahseer (Torputitora), Jamunaailia (Ailiichthyspunctata) etc.;
AND WHEREAS the State Animal Barahsingha Wildlife sanctuary is known to host more than 280 plant
species, including 81 medicinal plant species. Some of the key flora found in the sanctuary are Sita Ashok (Saraca
asoka), Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Mango (Mangifera indica), Kadamb
(Anthocephalues cadamba), Katsagon (Haplophragma adenophyllum), Khair (acacia catechu), Pakhad (Ficus
lacor), Pilkhan (Ficus rumphii), Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Baheda (Terminalia bellerica) Seesham (Dalbergia
sissoo), Teak (Tectona grandis), Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera) etc.;
AND WHEREAS it is necessary to conserve and protect the area, extent and boundary which is specified in
paragraph 1 of this notification around the protected area of State Animal Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary 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 the area to an extent
of one kilometer around the boundary of State Animal Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary in the State of Uttar Pradesh as
the State Animal Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary, Eco-sensitive Zone (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 extent of Eco-Sensitive Zone is one kilometer
uniform around the boundary of State Animal Barahsingha Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh. The area of Eco-sensitive
Zone is 239.07 square kilometer, comprising of 55.52 square kilometer in Muzaffarnagar, 68.81 square kilometer in
Bijnor, 46.35 square kilometer in Amroha, 18.35 square kilometer in Hapur and 50.04 square kilometer in Meerut.
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THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY
[PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(2) The boundary description of Eco-sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure- I.
(3) The maps of the Eco-Sensitive Zone along with boundary details are appended as Annexure-II A, Annexure-II B
and Annexire- II C.
(4) The geo-coordinates of the protected area and its Eco-sensitive Zone are given in Annexure-III.
(5) The list of villages falling within the Eco-sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure-IV.
2. Zonal Master Plan for 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 final 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.
(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;
iii. Urban Development;
iv. Panchayati Raj and Rural Development;
V. Tourism;
vi. Revenue;
vii. Agriculture;
viii. Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board;
ix. Irrigation;
x. Municipality; and
xi. Public Works and Highways.
(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, 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, regulated
activities listed in Table in paragraph 4 and also ensure and promote eco-friendly development for livelihood
security of local communities.
(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. - 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 major commercial or major residential
complex or industrial activities.
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THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: EXTRAORDINARY
[PART II-SEC. 3(ii)]
Provided that the conversion of agricultural and other lands, for the purpose 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 Central/State Government as applicable 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 eco-
tourism including home stay; and
V. Promoted activities given under paragraph 4.
Provided further that no use of tribal land shall be permitted for commercial