Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Ecologically Sensitive Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONEMNT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.164

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

## Ecologically Sensitive Areas

* 164       ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA :

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  declared  certain  areas  as  ecologically  sensitive/fragile areas in the Country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Dahanu area in Maharashtra; and
- (c) whether the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority constituted/appointed in the  year  1996  is  still  working  under  the  same  Chairmanship  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 164  for  reply  on  14 th   March  2017  regarding  'Ecologically  Sensitive  Areas'  raised  by Adv. Chintaman Navasha Wanaga .

(a&b) To  provide  special  protection  to  landscape,  biodiversity,  wildlife,  historical value, regulate the developmental activities and ensure sustainable  development, Central Government has been notifying the Eco-sensitive Areas (ESA) from time to time  in  exercise  of  the  powers  conferred  under  sub-section  (3)  of  Section  3  of  the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. So far, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate  Change  (MEF&CC)  has  notified  eight  ESAs  in  the  country.  Besides,  one draft  notification  to  declare  ESA  for  Western  Ghats  has  recently  been  published inviting public comments/views. A state-wise detail of ESA is annexed.

(c) The  MEF&CC vide its Notification No. S.O. 416 (E) dated 20 th June,  1991  has notified  Dahanu  Taluka  as  an  Ecologically  Fragile  Area.  Subsequently,  pursuant  to the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court, MEF&CC vide its Notification No. S.O. 884 (E), dated 19th December, 1996, has constituted an  Authority  known  as  'Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority' in the State of Maharashtra, for protection of eco-fragile character of Dahanu Region under the Chairmanship of Shri Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari (Retired Judge of High Court, Mumbai). It is an independent Authority. The Supreme Court vide its order dated 9th September, 2002  in  Writ  Petition  (Civil)  No.  231  of  1994  directed  that  'the  Authority  shall continue to function till further orders of this Court'. In compliance of this order, the MEF&CC amended the notification vide S.O.No.1211 (E), dated 18th Nov. 2002.

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## Annexure regarding Details Of Eco-Sensitive Areas Notified Till Date to the starred  question  no.  164  for  reply  on  14th  March  2017  'Ecologically Sensitive Areas' raised by  Adv. Chintaman Navasha Wanaga

| Sl. No.                | Name of the ESA/restricted zone           | District/ State                                             | Area Covered               | Date of Notification   |
|------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|
| 1.                     | Dahanu Taluka                             | Thane, Maharashtra                                          | 990 sq. km                 | 20.06.1991             |
| 2.                     | Bhagirathi                                | Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand                            | 4179.59 sq. km             | 18.12.2012             |
| 3.                     | Mahabaleshwar- Panchgani                  | Satara District, Maharashtra                                | 237.28 sq. km              | 17.01.2001             |
| 4.                     | Matheran                                  | Raigad & Thane Districts, Maharashtra                       | 214.73 sq. km              | 04.02.2003             |
| 5.                     | Mount Abu                                 | Sirohi District, Rajasthan                                  | -                          | 25.06.2009             |
| 6.                     | Doon Valley                               | Uttarakhand                                                 | -                          | 01.02.1989             |
| 7.                     | Aravalli Range                            | Gurgaon District of Haryana and Alwar District of Rajasthan | -                          | 07.05.1992             |
| 8.                     | Numaligarh (No Development Zone)          | Golaghat District, Assam                                    | Around 15 km from refinery | 05.07.1996             |
| Draft ESA Notification | Draft ESA Notification                    | Draft ESA Notification                                      | Draft ESA Notification     | Draft ESA Notification |
| 9.                     | Western Ghats (Draft notification issued) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Gujarat: 449 sq. km        | 28.02.2017             |
| 9.                     | Western Ghats (Draft notification issued) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Maharashtra: 17340 sq.km   | 28.02.2017             |
| 9.                     | Western Ghats (Draft notification issued) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Goa: 1461 sq. km           | 28.02.2017             |
| 9.                     | Western Ghats (Draft notification issued) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Karnataka: 20668 sq. km    | 28.02.2017             |
| 9.                     | Western Ghats (Draft notification issued) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu: 6914 sq. km    | 28.02.2017             |
| 9.                     | Western Ghats (Draft notification issued) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Total: 59940 sq. km        | 28.02.2017             |

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