Final Notification Declaring Eco Sensitive Zone S.O. No.4929(E) around Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 4558] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021/AGRAHAYANA 11, 1943 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 2nd December, 2021 S.O. 4929(E).—WHEREAS, a draft notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change number S.O. 548(E), dated the 29 th January, 2019, 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 the 29 th January, 2019; AND WHEREAS, objections and suggestions were received from persons and stakeholders in response to the aforesaid draft notification were duly considered in the Ministry; AND WHEREAS, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand State. The Sanctuary was established vide Government Order No. 3239/X-2-2013-19 (1) 2002 dated the 25 th July, 2002 in 2013, whereby 290.914 square kilometers Reserve Forest area of 12 forest blocks of Askot and Dharchula Ranges of Pithoragarh Forest Division and 309.086 square kilometers area of protected forest comprising areas of Van Panchayats and unclassified civil land were included. As such the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary was established in an area of 600 square kilometers. The principal objective for the formation of the Sanctuary was conservation of the wide variety of flora and fauna in the area; AND WHEREAS, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is home for a large number of rare and endangered plant and animal species. In the sanctuary there are 2600 plants, 250 birds and 37 mammal species like snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), serow (Capricornis sumatraensis). Among the fauna are species like loong, monal (Lophophorus impejanus), kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos), cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii) and musk deer (Moschus spp.) the flag species. The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Musk Deer Park. Van ranjees, Vyasi, Rangdarma, Chaudasi, Rangbhotiya, Anwal and other backward class communities live in the Wildlife Sanctuary area. Bhotiyas migrate in the high Himalayan areas seasonally and are involved in activities like farming, wool trade, handicraft, sheep and goat rearing and collection of herbs and shrubs; AND WHEREAS, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is spread between the heights of 600 meters to 7000 meters and is located mostly in the watershed areas of the river Kali and its tributaries; the tributaries Dhauli and Gauri are to the north below the Rungling block above the river Kali at 1582 meters. Almost all the hill ranges are spread in the north- west and the first main range separates the upper Kali and Dhauli river catchment areas. Its highest points are Rungling peak 4075 meters and the lowest point is Tawaghat at 1108 meters. The valley areas are difficult and steep slope which are the series of forest blocks viz, Hiragumri, Jyotigaad and Rungling. The second main range separates the catchment areas of Dhauli and Gauri Ganga. In the forest blocks the highest point is Dug peak 4560 meters and the lowest point Jauljeevi and Chhiplakot at 4499 meters. The area is highly steep till 2100 meters but below that point is in gentle slope and the section are comprises of the forest blocks of Payya, Majtham, Daphiyadhura, Thakla, Dug and Sobla. The third group falls between the river Gauri, Ramganga and Kali and it has main peak Ghandhura at a height of 2501 meters; AND WHEREAS, due to biotic interference and unnatural activities possibilities of man-wildlife conflict are rampant, there is need for controlling excessive grazing, lopping, fire incidence unscientific exploitation of land, mining and other activities associated with development in the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary; AND WHEREAS, it is necessary to conserve and protect the area, the extent and boundaries of Askot 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 notifies an area to an extent varying from 0 (zero) to 22 kilometres around the boundary of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, in Pithoragarh District in the State of Uttarakhand as the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone (hereafter in this notification 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 shall be to an extent of 0 (zero) to 22 kilometres around the boundary of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and the area of the Eco-sensitive Zone is 454.65 square kilometres. Zero extent of Eco-sensitive Zone towards Southern, Western and Eastern side of the Sanctuary is due to international border; whereas, in other places, the zero extent is due to the resolution taken during the public consultations with local community and primitive tribal groups (Van Raaji) habituating in the area. (2) The boundary description of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-sensitive Zone is appended in Annexure-I. (3) The maps of the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary demarcating Eco-sensitive Zone along with boundary details and latitudes and longitudes are appended as Annexure-IIA and Annexure-IIB. (4) Lists of geo-coordinates of the boundary of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and Eco-sensitive Zone are given in Table A and Table B of Annexure-III. (5) There is no village falling inside the Eco-sensitive Zone of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary. 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 and get it duly approved by 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 and Wildlife; (iii) Agriculture; (iv) Revenue; (vi) Tourism; (vii) Rural Development; (viii) Irrigation and Flood Control; (ix) Municipal; (xi) Highways; (xii) Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board; 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 provide mechanism for regulating developmental activities 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 by State Government 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 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 Central Government or 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 correction of error shall not include change of land use in any case except as provided under this sub-paragraph. (b) 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 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 in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 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 under the Environment Act. (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 the rules made thereunder. (8) Discharge of effluents.- Discharge of treated effluent in Eco-sensitive Zone shall be in accordance with the provisions of the General Standards for Discharge of Environmental Pollutants covered under the Environment Act and the rules made thereunder or standards stipulated by the State Government, whichever is more stringent. (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 8 th April, 2016; the inorganic material may be disposed in an environmental acceptable manner at site identified outside the Eco-sensitive Zone; (b) 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 28 th March, (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 th 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 29 th 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 the 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 shall not be permitted on existing steep hill slopes or slopes with a high degree of erosion. 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 Act and the rules made thereunder including the Coastal Regulation Zone, 2011 and 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 amendments made thereto and be regulated in the manner specified in the Table below, namely:- TABLE Sl. No. Activity Description A. Prohibited Activities 1. Commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units. (a) All new and existing mining (minor and major minerals), 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 the Eco- sensitive Zone; (b) The mining operations shall be carried out in accordance with the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated the th August, 2006 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Vs. UOI in W.P.(C) No.202 of 1995 and dated the 21 st April, 2014 in the matter of Goa Foundation Vs. UOI in W.P.(C) No.435 of 2012. 2. Setting of industries causing pollution (Water, Air, Soil, Noise, etc.). New industries and expansion of existing polluting industries in the Eco-sensitive Zone shall not be permitted: Provided that non-polluting industries shall be allowed within the Eco-sensitive Zone as per 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. 3. Establishment of major hydro-electric project. Prohibited. 4. Use or production or processing of any hazardous substances. Prohibited. 5. Discharge of untreated effluents in natural water bodies or land area. Prohibited. 6. Commercial use of firewood. Prohibited. 7. Setting up of new saw mills. New or expansion of existing saw mills shall not be permitted within the Eco-sensitive Zone. 8. Setting up of brick kilns. Prohibited. 9. Commercial establishment of hotels and resorts. No new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted within one kilometer of the boundary of the protected area or upto the extent of the Eco-sensitive Zone, whichever is nearer, except for small temporary structures for eco-tourism activities: Provided that, beyond one kilometer from the boundary of the protected area or upto the extent of the 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. 10. Construction activities. (a) New commercial construction of any kind shall not be permitted within one kilometer from the boundary of the protected area or upto 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 mentioned 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. 11. 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 thereunder. 12. Fencing of premises of hotels and lodges. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 13. Erection of electrical and communication towers and laying of cables and other infrastructures. Regulated under applicable laws (underground cabling may be promoted). 14. Collection of Forest produce or Non- Timber Forest produce. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 15. Use of polythene bags. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 16. Undertaking other activities related to tourism like flying over the Eco- sensitive Zone area by hot air balloon, helicopter, drones, microlites, etc. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 17. Discharge of treated waste water or effluents in natural water bodies or land area. The discharge of treated waste water or effluents shall be avoided to enter into the water bodies and efforts shall be made for recycle and reuse of treated waste water. Otherwise the discharge of treated waste water or effluent shall be regulated as per the applicable laws. 18. Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities along with dairies, dairy farming, aquaculture and fisheries. Permitted as per the applicable laws for use of locals. 19. Protection of hill slopes and river banks. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 20. Movement of vehicular traffic at night. Regulated for commercial purpose under applicable laws. 21. Infrastructure including civic amenities. Taking measures of mitigation as per the applicable laws, rules and regulations and available guidelines. 22. Widening and strengthening of existing roads and construction of new roads. Taking measures of mitigation as per the applicable laws, rules and regulation and available guidelines. 23. Open Well, Borewell, etc. for agriculture and other usages. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 24. Solid waste management. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 25. Air and vehicular pollution. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 26. Commercial sign boards and hoardings. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 27. Introduction of exotic species. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 28. Establishment of large-scale commercial livestock and poultry farms by firms, corporate and companies. Regulated (except as otherwise provided) as per the applicable laws except for meeting local needs. 29. Commercial extraction of surface and ground water. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 30. Small scale non polluting industries. Non polluting industries as per classification of 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 by the competent authority. 31. Eco-tourism. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 32. Rain water harvesting. Shall be actively promoted. 33. Organic farming. Shall be actively promoted. 34. Adoption of green technology for all activities. Shall be actively promoted. 35. Cottage industries including village artisans, etc. Shall be actively promoted. 36. Use of renewable energy and fuels. Bio-gas, solar light, etc. shall be actively promoted. 37. Agro-Forestry. Shall be actively promoted. 38. Plantation of Horticulture and Herbals. Shall be actively promoted. 39. Use of eco-friendly transport. Shall be actively promoted. 40. Skill Development. Shall be actively promoted. 41. Restoration of degraded land or forests or habitat. Shall be actively promoted. 42. Environmental awareness. Shall be actively promoted. 5. Monitoring Committee for Monitoring the Eco-sensitive Zone Notification.- For effective monitoring of the provisions of this notification, under sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Central Government hereby constitutes a Monitoring Committee, comprising of the following, namely:- Sl. No. Constituent of the Monitoring Committee Designation 1. District Collector, Pithoragarh Chairman, ex officio; 2. A representative nominated by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand Member, ex officio; A representative of Non-government Organization working in the field of wildlife conservation to be nominated by State Government Member; 4. An expert in Biodiversity nominated by the State Government Member; An expert in Ecology and Environment to be nominated by the State Government Member; 6. A representative from Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board Member, ex officio; 8. Wildlife Warden, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Member, ex officio; Divisional Forest Officer, Pithoragarh or Deputy Director, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary officio. 6. Terms of reference. – (1) The Monitoring Committee shall monitor the compliance of the provisions of this notification. (2) The tenure of the Monitoring committee shall be till further orders, provided that the non-official members of the Committee shall be nominated by the State Government from time to time. (3) The activities that are covered in the Schedule to the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14 th September, 2006, and are 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 Central Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for prior environmental clearances under the provisions of the said notification. (4) The activities that are not covered in the Schedule to the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14 th September, 2006 and are 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. (5) The Member-Secretary of the Monitoring Committee or the concerned Deputy Commissioner(s) shall be competent to file complaints under section 19 of the Environment Act, against any person who contravenes the provisions of this notification. (6) The Monitoring Committee may invite representatives or experts from concerned Departments, representatives from industry associations or concerned stakeholders to assist in its deliberations depending on the requirements on issue to issue basis. (7) The Monitoring Committee shall submit the annual action taken report of its activities as on the 31 st March of every year by the 30 th June of that year to the Chief Wildlife Warden in the State as per proforma appended at (8) The Central Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may give such directions, as it deems fit, to the Monitoring Committee for effective discharge of its functions. 7. Additional measures.- The Central Government and the State Government may specify additional measures, if any, for giving effect to provisions of this notification. 8. Orders of Supreme Court, etc.- 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 the High Court or the National Green Tribunal. ANNEXURE- I BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION OF ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE AROUND ASKOT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN THE STATE UTTARAKHAND North To the north of the Eco-Sensitive Zone is the Inter National boundary of Tibet. South To the south of the Eco-Sensitive Zone is the boundary of Askot WildLife Sanctuary. East To the east of the Eco-Sensitive Zone are the river Kali and the boundary of Nepal and Tibet. West To the west of the Eco-Sensitive Zone is river Gori and Chiplakedar. ANNEXURE- IIA GOOGLE MAP OF ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE OF ASKOT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ALONG WITH LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF PROMINENT LOCATIONS ANNEXURE- IIB MAP OF ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE OF ASKOT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ALONG WITH LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF PROMINENT LOCATIONS ANNEXURE-III TABLE A: GEO- COORDINATES OF PROMINENT LOCATIONS OF ASKOT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY GPS-Points Longitude Latitude Description TABLE B: GEO-COORDINATES OF PROMINENT LOCATIONS OF ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE GPS-Points Longitude Latitude Description ANNEXURE –IV Performa of Action Taken Report: Eco-sensitive Zone Monitoring Committee.- 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. and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. SURENDER MAHADASAM