Final Notification Declaring Eco Sensitive Zone S.O. No.3031(E) around Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY 26°55′ औ 89°20′ औ 89°55′ क ; No. 2699] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020/BHADRA 16, 1942 - I (89.837339 26.706353 ) क क क 26.496731 ) 4 (89.444104 26.550419 ) क, क 26.550419 ) 1(89.446382 26.841404 ) क ग , क क 2 (89.817306 26.487556 4 (89.433086 26.545337 ) क क 1 क क क , क 4 (89.433086 26.545337 ) 1 - II 1 क. 89.374433 26.855486 2 क. 89.817306 26.487556 3 क. 89.538275 26.540003 4 क. 89.433086 26.545337 5 क. 89.342764 26.719434 -IV 1 26 46 51.35ई 89 26 03.40पू 2 26 43 07.70ई 89 25 52.74पू 3 26 42 47.71ई 89 23 56.69पू 4 26 42 16.48ई 89 23 07.24पू 6 26 40 53.63ई 89 23 12.12पू 7 26 40 10.09ई 89 23 50.85पू 8 26 39 13.02ई 89 26 27.09पू 9 26 38 22.39ई 89 25 41.34पू 10 26 35 55.73ई 89 26 22.65पू 11 26 34 19.28ई 89 28 30.83पू 12 26 33 25.90ई 89 29 21.11पू 14 26 36 58.62ई 89 32 49.79पू 20 26 33 00.63ई 89 31 40.93पू 26 26 30 59.69ई 89 42 24.98पू 29 26 38 54.44ई 89 41 15.52पू 30 26 38 52.55ई 89 43 52.43पू 32 26 38 07.16ई 89 40 51.28पू 33 26 36 42.25ई 89 43 46.54पू 36 26 29 25.33ई 89 50 49.03पू 39 26 31 57.70ई 89 49 50.76पू 42 26 34 46.22ई 89 48 11.44पू 45 26 39 20.44ई 89 48 58.90पू 46 26 38 41.84ई 89 48 46.52पू 47 26 37 59.77ई 89 48 30.17पू 48 26 36 46.99ई 89 51 29.45पू 50 26 30 21.06ई 89 51 38.09पू MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 7th September, 2020 S.O. 3031(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. 1942(E), dated the 11 th June, 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 11 th June, 2019; AND WHEREAS, no objections and suggestions were received from persons and stakeholders in response to the draft notification; AND WHEREAS, the Buxa Tiger Reserve (B.T.R.) with an area of 760.87 square kilometre is located in the district of Alipurduar, West Bengal, It is harbouring, as a corridor for sustaining population of wild elephants in the North Bengal and Assam in between Sankosh and Torsha River, it also harbours gaurs, leopards, cats, other herbivores and many species of birds and butterflies, it has great significance in the forested landscape of Alipurduar district along with its Forest, riverine ecosystem and adjoining tea gardens and villages including their diverse ethnicities; AND WHEREAS, Buxa Tiger Reserve comprises of the entire erstwhile Buxa Forest Division (702.44 km and a part of cooch behar forest division 58.43 km which was added subsequently, the reserve lies between latitude 26°30′ and 26°55′ N and longitudes 89°20′ and 89°55′ E; AND WHEREAS, Buxa Tiger Reserve stretches over a length of 50 km. from west to east and 35 kilometer from north to south, the total area of the Reserve Forests is 760.87 km , of which 390.580km has been constituted as wildlife sanctuary and National Park and the balance 370.29 km areas as reserve forests and other protected forests; AND WHEREAS, Buxa Tiger Reserve supports a number of species specified under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) inter alia including, Indian elephant (Elephas maximus), guar (Bos gaurus), leopord (Panthera pardus), Indian rock python (Python molurus), Malayan giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), fishing cat (Felis viverrina), Hill myna (Gracula religiosa), Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Indian greyhornbill (Ocyceros birostris), etc.; AND WHEREAS, for effective conservation and protection of these floral and faunal biodiversity of the Tiger Reserve, the extent of different anthropogenic pressures has to be regulated as the immediate area adjoining this fragile ecosystem is much ecologically sensitive having great impact on this Protected Area; AND WHEREAS, it is necessary to conserve and protect the area, the extent and boundaries of Buxa Tiger Reserve, 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 power 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 with an extent of Eco-sensitive Zone varying from zero (due to international boundary with Bhutan towards the northern boundary and inter-state boundary with Assam in the eastern side of the Protected Area) to 5 kilometers around Buxa Tiger Reserve in the State of West Bengal as Buxa Tiger Reserve 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 extent of Eco-sensitive Zone varying from zero (due to international boundary with Bhutan towards the northern boundary and Inter-state boundary with Assam in the eastern side of the Protected Area) to 5 kilometers around the Buxa Tiger Reserve and the area of the Eco-sensitive Zone is 583.15 square kilometers. (2) The boundary description of the Eco-sensitive Zone is appended as Annexure I. (3) The map of the Protected Area demarcating the Eco-sensitive Zone boundary is appended as Annexure II. (4) Lists of geo co-ordinates of the boundary of the Protected Area and the Eco-sensitive Zone are appended as Table A and Table B of Annexure III. (5) The list of villages falling within the Eco-sensitive Zone along with their geo co-ordinates at prominent points is appended as Annexure IV. 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 of 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, namely:- (i) Environment, (ii) Forest and Wildlife, (iii) Agriculture, (iv) Revenue, (vi) Tourism, (vii) Rural Development, (viii) Irrigation and Flood Control, (ix) Municipal, (x) Panchayati Raj, and (xi) Public Works Department. (4) The Zonal Master Plan shall not impose any restriction on the approved existing land use, infrastructure and activities, unless so specified in this notification and the Zonal Master Plan shall factor in improvement of all infrastructure and activities to be more efficient and eco-friendly. (5) The Zonal Master Plan shall provide for restoration of denuded areas, conservation of existing water bodies, management of catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater management, soil and moisture conservation, needs of local community and such other aspects of the ecology and environment that need attention. (6) The Zonal Master Plan shall demarcate all the existing worshipping places, villages and urban settlements, types and kinds of forests, agricultural areas, fertile lands, green area, such as, parks and like places, horticultural areas, orchards, lakes and other water bodies with supporting maps giving details of existing and proposed land use features. (7) The Zonal Master Plan shall regulate development in the Eco-sensitive Zone and adhere to prohibited and regulated activities listed in the Table in paragraph 4 and also ensure and promote eco-friendly development for security of local communities’ livelihood. (8) The Zonal Master Plan shall be co-terminus with the Regional Development Plan. (9) The Zonal Master Plan so approved shall be the reference document for the Monitoring Committee for carrying out its functions of monitoring in accordance with the provisions of this notification. 3. Measures to be taken by the State Government.- 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 under 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 Eco-Tourism Master Plan shall be prepared by the State Department of Tourism in consultation with 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 Wildlife Sanctuary 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 Wildlife Sanctuary 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 National Tiger Conservation Authority (as amended from time to time) with emphasis on eco-tourism; eco- education and eco-development and based on the study of carrying capacity of the Eco-Sensitive Zone; (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 complied 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:- (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 8 th 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 (ESM) of Solid wastes in conformity with the existing rules and regulations using identified technologies may be allowed within Eco-sensitive Zone. (10) Bio-Medical Waste.– Bio Medical Waste Management shall be as under:- (i) 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, (ii) 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.– (i) 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. (ii) 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 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 the 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 S. 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 and for manufacture of country tiles or bricks for housing and for personal consumption; (b) The mining operations shall be carried out in accordance with the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated the 4 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 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 Eco- sensitive Zone as per 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. 3. Establishment of major hydroelectric project. Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per the applicable laws. 4. Use or production or processing of any hazardous substances. Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per the applicable laws. 5. Discharge of untreated effluents in natural water bodies or land area. Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per the applicable laws. 6. Setting up of new saw mills. New or expansion of existing saw mills shall not be permitted within the Eco-sensitive Zone. 7. Commercial use of firewood. Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per the applicable laws. 8. 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 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 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. 9. 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 listed in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 as per building bye- laws to meet the residential needs of the local residents. Provided 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. 10. 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. 11. Erection of electrical and communication towers and laying of cables and other infrastructures. Regulated under applicable laws of underground cabling may be promoted. 12. Widening and strengthening of existing roads and construction of new roads. Taking measures of mitigation, as per applicable laws, rules and regulation and available guidelines. 13. Undertaking other activities related to tourism like flying over the Eco- sensitive Zone area by hot air Regulated as per the applicable laws. balloon, helicopter, drones, Microlites, etc. 14. Protection of hill slopes and river banks. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 15. Movement of vehicular traffic at night. Regulated for commercial purpose under applicable laws. 16. Discharge of treated waste water/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/effluent shall be regulated as per the applicable laws. 17. Commercial extraction of surface and ground water. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 18. Introduction of Exotic species. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 19. Eco-tourism. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 20. Use of polythene bags. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 21. Commercial sign boards and hoardings. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 22. Small scale non polluting industries. Non polluting industries as per classification of industries issued by the Central Pollution Control Board in February, 2016 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. 23. Infrastructure including civic amenities. Taking measures of mitigation as per the applicable laws, rules, regulations and available guidelines. 24. Collection of Forest produce or Regulated as per the applicable laws. 25. 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. 26. Open Well, Bore Well, etc. for agriculture or other usage. Regulated under applicable laws and the activity shall be strictly monitored by the concerned authority. 27. Solid waste management. Regulated as per the applicable laws. 28. Rain water harvesting. Shall be actively promoted. 29. Vegetative fencing. Shall be actively promoted. 30. Organic farming. Shall be actively promoted. 31. Adoption of green technology for all activities. Shall be actively promoted. 32. Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities along with dairies, dairy farming, aquaculture and fisheries. Permitted under applicable laws for use of locals. 33. Cottage industries including village artisans, etc. Shall be actively promoted. 34. Use of renewable energy and fuels. Bio-gas, solar light, etc. shall be actively promoted. 35. Agro-Forestry. Shall be actively promoted. 36. Plantation of Horticulture and Herbals. Shall be actively promoted. 37. Use of eco-friendly transport. Shall be actively promoted. 38. Skill Development. Shall be actively promoted. 39. Restoration of degraded land/ forests/ habitat. Shall be actively promoted. 40. Environmental awareness. Shall be actively promoted. 5. Monitoring Committee.- 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: - S. No. Constituent of the Monitoring Committee Designation 1. Concerned District Collector Chairman; 2. A representative of Non-government Organisation working in the field of wildlife conservation to be nominated by the State Government Member; 3. An expert in Biodiversity nominated by the State Government Member; 4. An expert in Ecology and Environment to be nominated by the State Government Member; 5. A representative from State Public Works Department Member; 6. A representative from State Pollution Control Board Member; 7. Deputy Field Director, Buxa Tiger Reserve (West) Member; 8. Deputy Field Director, Buxa Tiger Reserve (East) Member- Secretary. 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 for three years or till the re-constitution of the new Committee by the State Government and subsequently the Monitoring Committee shall be constituted by the State Government. (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 as Annexure V. (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. The Central Government and the State Government may specify additional measures, if any, for giving effect to provisions of this notification. 8. 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 OF THE PROTECTED AREA North The boundary line of Buxa Tiger Reserve starts at a point Point 1 at (89.446382 E & 26.841404 N) on the Rangamati Block and compartment No.1 which is adjoining to the Indo-Bhutan International border. Then the line starts from point 1 to the North eastern direction all along the International boundary line till it reaches the point C at 89.837339 E & 26.706353N on the Tiger Reserve Boundary. The Gaburbasra river flows through Rangmati Block in the North West corner and river Sankosh flows through the North East part. East The eastern extent lies at the boundary of West Bengal-Assam border indicated by point C (89.837339 E & 26.706353 N) to the extreme South East of Buxa Tiger Reserve. The Sankosh river forms the boundary of the Eastern Flank. South The Southern boundary is mainly fringed by the agricultural field and Tea Estates and the National highway (NH 31C) running east to west, from point 2(89.545187E & 26.496731N) to Point 4 (89.444104E & 26.550419N) through point 3 (89.564455E & 26.541582N) through which passes the NH31C. West In the Western flank of the TR is fringed by Tea Estates Joygaon TE, Torsa TE, Dalsinghpara TE, Baranabari TG, Satali TE etc and the State Highway (Joygaon-Nimati Road via Hamiltangaj). The Western flank is marked from point 4 (89.444104E & 26.550419N) to point 1 (89.446382E & BOUNDARY DETAILS OF 1 KILOMETRE AND 5 KILOMETRE ESZ OF BUXA TIGER RESERVE North The Northern boundary being shared with the International boundary with Bhutan, there is no Eco-sensitive declared for the Northern pat (From point 1a to Point C through Point B). East Similarly in the eastern part, having shared boundary with Assam, no ESZ has been proposed (Point C to Point 2 through Point D and Point E). South In the Southern part, 1 km ESZ has been proposed from 2a (89.817306E & 26.487556N) to point 4a (89.433086E & 26.545337N) as the southern boundary of the ESZ. West The ESZ of the Western flank, which is 5 km starts from point 4a (89.433086E & 26.545337N) to point 1a (89.342764E & 26.719434N). Apart from Tea Gardens, the Western fringe consists of forest areas of Jaladpara Wildlife Division. ANNEXURE- II MAP OF ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE OF BUXA TIGER RESERVE WITH LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF PROMINENT LOCATIONS ANNEXURE-III TABLE A: Latitude-Longitude of Prominent Locations on Tiger Reserve boundary S. No. Longitude (E) Latitude (N) TABLE B: Latitude-Longitude of Prominent Locations on ESZ boundary S. No. Longitude (E) Latitude (N) 1a. 89.374433 26.855486 2a. 89.817306 26.487556 3a. 89.538275 26.540003 4a. 89.433086 26.545337 5a. 89.342764 26.719434 ANNEXURE-IV LIST OF VILLAGE AREA COMING UNDER ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE OF BUXA TIGER RESERVE ALONG WITH GEO-COORDINATES S. No Name of Village Latitude Longitude Annexure –V Performa 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. and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. MANOJ KUMAR VERMA