Lok Sabha Question No. 1131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Eco-sensitive Areas in the Country
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1131

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## Eco-sensitive Areas in the Country

## 1131.     DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:

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

- (a)   whether  it  is  a  fact  that  to  provide  special  protection  to  biodiversity,  wildlife  and  to regulate the developmental activities, Government is notifying the Eco-sensitive Areas in the Country;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Palghar district in Maharashtra;
- (c)   whether the Government has notified Dahanu Taluka as an Ecologically Fragile Area in the Palghar district; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the details of the suggestion received from the public and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b) In order to provide special protection to landscape, historical value, biodiversity, and wildlife, and to regulate the developmental activities and ensure sustainable development, the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and the rules thereunder, has been notifying the Eco-sensitive Areas (ESA) from time to time. So far, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEF&CC) has notified six ESAs in the country namely Doon Valley and Bhagirathi  in  Uttarakhand;  Mount-Abu  in  Rajasthan;  and  Dahanu  Taluka,  MahabaleshwarPanchgani and Matheran in Maharashtra.

(c)  and  (d)  A  draft  notification  regarding  the  Central  Government's  intention  to  declare Dahanu  Taluka,  District  Thane,  Maharashtra  as  an  eco  fragile  area    was  published  on 08.02.1991,  followed  by  a  corrigendum  published  on  27.02.1991,  inviting  objections  from concerned stakeholders. Suggestions / objections received from various Environmental Action Groups of Dahanu and Bombay, individuals of Dahanu, Dahanu Industries Association and Dahanu  Taluka  Krushak  Samaj  etc  on  the  draft  notification  were  duly  considered  while finalization  and  final  publication  of  the  notification  declaring  Dahanu  Taluka,  in  Palghar District,  Maharashtra  as  an  ecologically  fragile  area  vide  S.O  416  (E),  dated  the  20 th June, 1991 as given in the Annexure I. The final notification dated 20.06.1991 imposes restrictions on the setting up of industries which have detrimental effect on the environment and provides for guidelines related to location for siting of industries and industrial units. The notification dated 20 th   June 1991 was amended vide notification dated 22 nd  February 2021 empowering the State Government to approve master/regional plan for Dhanu Taluka (Annexure II). The Central  Government  has  followed  due  procedures  as  prescribed  under  the  Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, while issuing the afore-mentioned notifications.

***

#. 359]

No. 359]

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## EXTRAORDINARY

PART II-Section  3-Sub-Section  (ii) NIT I1-07083-79-0908(4)

PUBLISHED BY  AUTHORITY

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## MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT  AND FORESTS

(Department of Environment, Forests and Wildlife)

## NOTIFICATION

New  Delhi,  the  20th  June,  1991.

S.O.  416 (E):-Whereas a notification under Clause  (v)  of  Sub-section  (2)  of  Section 3 of the Environment  (Protection)  Act, I986, inviting objections  from  the  concerned  quarters within  a period of  sixty  dt>ys  fiom the  date  of  publication  of the said  notification,  against Govt/s intention  to declare Dahanu Taluka, District Thane  (Maharash:ru) as  an ecologically  fragile  area  and  to impose restrictions on the setting up of industries which have detrimental effect  on  the  environment  was  publishtd  vide  S- O. No.  80 (E), dated  8th  February,  1991 and  Corrigendum (S. O.  147 (E) issued  on  27th  February,  I99I).

And  whereas certain objections were  received from  Environmental  Action Gioups  of  Dahanu  & Bombay,  individuals  of  Dahanu, Govt,  of  Maharashtra, Dahami Industrie., Association, Dshanu Taluka  Knishak  Samaj  etc.  These  objections  were duly conMdered'and accordingly certain  modifications have  been  incorporated  in  this  notification.

## NOTIFICATION

In  exercise  of  powers -conferred by  clause  (v) of  sub-section  (2)  of  section 3 of  the  Environment (Protection)  Act,  1986, the  Central  Government,  in Gonsuttation  with  Ibe  Government  of  Maharashtra, after  considering  ihe  need  for  protecting  the  ecologically  sensitive  Dahanu  Taluka,  and  to  ensure  that the development  activities, are  consistent  with principles  of  environmental  protection  and  conservation, hereby  delate Dahanu Taluka, District Thane (Nlilwrashtra)  as  an  ecologically  fragile  area  and  to impose  restrictions  on  the  setting  up  of  industries

which have detrimental  effect on the  environment.

The location for siting of industries and  industrial units shall be  in  conformity with the Guideline given  in  the  Annexure.

-However,.the industrial projects already  approved or in  existence in  the  said Taluka'bcfore  the, date of issue  of  this notification, will no  I  be  affected by this  notification. The  existing  industries  shall  have to  conform  to  the  satatutory  standards.

The "GoVLLrmnwut of  Maharashtra-  will  prepare  a Master  Plan  or  Regional  Plan  for  the  Taluka  based on the existing and land use of Diihanu Taluka within a  period  of  1 year  from  ihs date  of this  notification and get the plan-approved  by the-Ministry of Environment & Forests. This  Master  Plan  or  Regional  Plan will  clearly  demarcate  all' the  existing  green  areas, orchards, tribal areas and other environmentally sensitive  areas.  No  change  of  existing  land  use  will be  permitted  for  such  areas  in  the  Master  Plan  or Regional Plan for the Taluka. A buffer zone of 25  kms. should  be  k<-pt  free  of  industries  around  the  outer periphery of  Dahanu  Taluka  for  -which  provision may  be  made  in  the  Master  Plan.  The  total  art a within the Dahanu Taluka for location  of permissible industries  will  be  restricted  to  a  maximum  of  500 aores  within  the  industrial  areas  carnieikcd  in  the · Master  Plan.  The.industrial, units  will be  locatec  at sites  that  are  environmentally  acceptable.

Industries  which  are  using  chemicals  above  the limita/quantities as  prcrcribed in  the  Environment Protection Act Rules for hazardous chemicals, notified by  the  Government  of  India, should bi' considered hazardous, industries. Hazardous  waste may be disposed off in the identified areas after taking precautionary  measures.  The disposal, arer s have  to be prescribed carefully, monitored and enforced and  the  site(b)  will  be  identified  in  the-Master  Plan and  will be, as  far  as  possible,  within  rthc premises of  the  500  acres  area  identified for  the  Industrial estate.

The Government of Maharashtra will constitute a monitoring  Committee  to  ensure  the  compliance  of the conditions mentioned in the notification,  in which local  representatives  may  be  included.

[No. J-13011/24/87-IA] R.  RAJAMANI,  Secy.

## -  .ANNEXURE

-.

•

.

GUIDELINES FOR  PERMITTING/RESTRICTING INDUSTRIES AND  INPUSTRJAL UNITS IN THE  DAHANU  TALUKA,  THANE  DISTRICT

IN  MAHARASHT&A

Industries will be classified  under three categories, viz.  Green,  Orange  and  Red  as  shown  below  for

purposes of permitting/restricting such industrial activities in Dahanu  Taluka  on the basis of environmental  and ecological  considerations. In case  of doubt as to the category in which the industry falls, a reference  shall be made to  the  Ministry  of  Environment  &  Forests,  Government  of  India,  and  such industry  will  not  be  permitted  until  cleared  by  the Ministry of  Environment & Forests, Govt, of India. Expansion/modernisation of existing industries falling in green  and orange categories only would  be considered on merit.  Some restriction in Volume of waste water  generated, i.e.  2  to  3  CMD  may  be  imposed for  certain  type  of  small  scale  units  falling  under Green  or  Orange  categories.

## GREEN  CATEGORY

List  of  industries  that  can  be  considered  by  the Maharashtra Government agencies for approval/ rejection  in  approved  industrial  areas  without  prior approval of the Ministry of  Environment & Forests, Government of India ( provided that all the following conditions  are  satisfied) :

1.  Only  those  industries  that  are  non-obnoxious and non-hazardous will be permitted. (Obnoxious and hazardous industries include those using  inflammable, explosive,  corrosive  or  toxic  substances.)
2.  Only  those  industries  that  do  not  discharge industrial  effluents of a polluting  nature will  be permitted.
3. Note  :-  Industries that undertake any of the following  processes or process of similar nature  shall be regarded  as industries  that discharge industrial effluents of a polluting nature,  namely  :-

Electroplating

Galvanizing

Bleaching

Degrcasing

Phosphating

Dyeing

Pickling

Tanning

Polishing

Cooking of fibres.

Digesting of  bides.

Desizing of  fabrics.

Removal of hair,  soaking  detiming and  washing of  fabric.

Distillation of  alcohol stillage  evaporation-

Crushing  of  sugarcane, .filtration, centrlfugation, distillation for  extraction of sugar.

Manufacture  of  charcoal.

Canning  and  processing  of  fruits  and  vegetables including production of Jam, Jelly, Sauce etc. Filtering  backwash  in  D.M.  Plants.

Pulp making, pulp processing and  paper  making.

Coking  of  coal-

Stripping  of  oxides.

Washing of used  sand  by hydraulic discharge.

Solvent  extraction.

3.  Only  those  industries  that  do  not  use  coal in their  manufacturing  process will be permitted.
4.  Oaly those industries that  do not  emit  fugitive emissions of  a  diffused  nature  will be  permitted.
3. Note  :-(1) Some  of  the  industries  that  ordinarily fall  in  the  non-obno* ious,  non-hazardous and non-polluting category, subject to fulfilment  of the above conditions are  : -

Rice Mills, Dal Mills, Grain  Mills (for production" of flour).

Manufacture  of  supari  and  masala  grindingGroundnut  decorticating  (dry).

Chilling  Plants  and  cold  storages.

Ico  making-

Preserving and processing of fish, crustaceous and similar  foods.

Manufacture  of  milk and  dairy  products  such as butter,  ghee, etc.

Book  binding.

Engraving, etching,  blockmaking.

Manufacturer  of  structural  stone  goods, stone dressing  and  polishing  (stone  crushing/stone quarrying  will not  be  permitted).

Manufacture  of  metal  building  component  such as  grills,  gates,  doors  and  window  frames, water  tanks,  wire nets,  etc.  (use of  coal  not permitted).

Tool  sharpening  works.

Repairs  of  electrical  appliances.

Manufacture  of  push  carts,  hand  carts,  bullock carts,  etc.

Manufacture  of jewellery  and related articles (no  power  to  be  used).

Repairs  of  watches,  clocks, jewellery.

Manufacture of bidis.

Handlooms. Powcrlooms.

Embroidery and the making of laces and fringes.

Manufacture  of  made  up  textile  poods  such  as, curtains,  mosquito  nets,  mattresses,  bedding material,  pillow  cuses, bags, etc.

Ready-made  garments  and  Apparel  making  (.dry processing).

Cotton  and  woolen  hosiery  (dry  processing).

## Handloom  weaving.

Manufacture  of  leather  foot wear  and  leather products  (excluding  tanning  and  hide  processing).

Shoe  lace  manufacturing.

Manufacture  of  mirrors  and photoframes.

Manufacture  of  musical  instruments.

Manufacture  of  sports  goods.

Manufacture  of  bamboo  and  cane  products  (dry operations  only).

Manufacture  of  cardboard  and  paper  products (Paper  and  pulp  manufacture  excluded).

Insulation  and  other  coated  papers  (Paper  and pulp  manufacture excluded).

Manufacture of scientific and mathematical instruments.

Assembly  of  domestic  electrical  and  electronic appliances.

Manufacture  of  wiriting  instruments  (pens,  pencils,  etc.).

Extrusion moulding  of polythene, plastic  and PVC goods.

Manufacture  of  surgical  gauzes and bandages. Manufacture of concrete railway sleepers.

Cotton spinning and weaving (dry processes only).

Manufacture  of ropes (cotton, jute, plastic).

Carpet weaving.

Manufacture  of  wires  and  pipes (non-asbestos). Extrusion  of metal.

Assembly  of  electric  and  electronic  equipment, " Coir  industries.

Toys.

Wax candles  and  agarbatis.

Oil-ginning and  axpelling  (no  hydrogennlion  and no  refining).

Manufacture  of  ice-cream.

Manufacture  of  mineral  water.

Manufacture  of  trunks  and  suitcases.

Manufacture of  stationery  items  (except  paper and  inks).

Manufacture  of  optical  frames.

Manufacture  of  office  and  household furniture and  appliances.-both  steel  and  wood.

Manufacture of  machinery  and machine  tools and  equipment  (small-scale).

Wire  drawing  (cold  process),  Wire  Nails,  Baling straps.

Processing  of  instant Coffee/tea. Glassware  using  fuel  other  than  cal/coke. Optical  Glass, tabor atoryware.

Bakery  products,  biscuits  and confectionery. Flour  mills  (excluding  Roller  flour  mills).

(2)  The  inclusion of  industries in this list is for convenience and if in a given case they do not  fall  in  the  above  category  they  will  be Created m in  the  Orange or Red  Categories.

## ORANGE CATEGORY

List of industries  that  can  be permitted  in Dahanu Talufca  with  proper  Environmental  Assessment  and adequate  Pollution  Control  Measures  in  sites  that have been  approved by the  Ministry of  Environment  &  Forests,  Government of  India.

## Ceramics.

Preservation  of  meat  and  canning.

Manufacture of building materials, such as briefcs.  tiles,  blocks,  pipes  etc.  from  fly  ash generated  from  the  approved/existing  power plants.

## Sanitaryware.

Vegetable  oils  including  solvent  extracted oils. Soap  (without  steam  boiling  process).

Formulation  of  synthetic  detergents  (nor-phosphatic).

Steam  generating  plants  (without  coal/coke).

Manufacture  of  industrial  gases  (only  Nitrogen, oxygen  and Co8.)

Surgical  and Medical  products,  excluding  prophylactics  and latex  products.

Rubber  Foot  wear.

Malt  foods.

Manufacture  of pumps compressors,  refrigeration units  and  flre  fighting  equipment.

Medical  and  surgical  instruments.

Fragrances, flavours and  food  additives.

Organic  plant  nutrients.

Aerated  waters/soft  drinks.

Industries  falling  within  the  above  category  with an  outlay  exceeding  Rs.  3  crores  will  have  to  be referred  to  the  Ministry  of  Environment  & Forests, Government  of  India  for  consideration.

Industries  falh'ng  within  the  above  category  with an outlay not exceeding Rs. 3 crores shall be granted environmental  clearance  by  the  State  Government Environment  Deptt.  and  the  MPCB.

## RED  CATEGORY

List  of  industries that  cannot  be  peimiiicd in Dabanu  Taluka.

The  illustrative  list  of  industries  that  fall  within this  category  include :~~

Metallurgical  industries  including  foundries  and alloy  making  processes.

Coal  and other  mineral  processing  industries. Cemsnt Plants.

Industries  based  on  Ihe  use  of  coal/coke. Refineries.

Petroebmeical  industries.

Synthetic Rubber Manufacture.

Thermal  and  nuclear  power  plants.

Manufacture  of  vanaspati.  hydrogenerated  vegetable oils for industrial  purposes.

Sugar  Mills.

Manufacture  of  by-products  of coke  ovem  and coal  tar  distillation  products.

Alkalis  and  acids.

Electro-thermal products (such as artificial abrasivos,  calcium  carbide,  etc.).

Phosphorus and its compounds.

Nitrogen  compounds.

Explosives.

Fire-crackers.

Pthalic  anhydride.

Processes involving chlorinated hydrocarbons. Chlorine, fluorine; bromine, iodine aad their compounds.

Chemical  fertilizer's.

Synthetic fibres and  rayon.

Manufacture  and  formulation  of  synthetic  pesticides/insecticides/bactericides/fungicides etc. Basic  drugs.

m'..

Alcohol.

Slaughterhouse

Tanning  and  processing  of  animal,  skins,  hide*, leather,  etc.

Plastic  or  latex  industry  including  manufacturing of  Balloon.

Making  of  coke,  liquefaction  of  coal.

Manufacture of fuel gas.

Fibre glass production or processing.

Dyes and their intermediates.

Industrial  carbon  and  carbon  products.

Electro-chemicals*  and their products-

Paint,  enamels  and  varnishes.

Poly  vinyl  chloride.

Polypropylene.

Chlorates, per  chlorates and perovides.

Polishes.

Synthetic  resins.

Plastics.

Asbestos.

Stone Crushing 1 Units.

Note  ;-The case  of  industries  which  do  not  fall  in any  of  the  above  mentioned  three  categories, decision  in regard  to*their classification  will  be- taken.by  tne State  "Government  fou  those. projects  having, an  outlay not  exceeding  Rs.  3 crores> and  for  others reference  is to  be made  to  the  Ministry of Environment &  Forests, Government  of India.

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xxxGIDHxxx xxxGIDExxx सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-23022021-225385

CG-DL-E-23022021-225385

## असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY

भाग II -खण्  ड 3 -उप-खण्  ड (ii) PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii)

प्राजधकार से प्रकाजित

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

नई ददल्ली  सोमवार, फरवरी 22,  2021 / फाल्  गुन 3, 1942

NEW DELHI, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021/ PHALGUNA 3, 1942

## पयाावरण, वन और िलवायु पररवतान मंत्रालय अजधसूचना

नई ददल्ली, 22 फरवरी, 2021

का.आ. 834(अ).-केन्द्रीय  सरकार,  पयाावरण  (संरक्षण)  जनयम,  1986  क े   जनयम  5  क े   उपजनयम  (4)  क े   साथ परित पयाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनयम, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उपधारा (2) और उपधारा (3) के खंड (v) द्वारा प्रदत्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, महाराष्ट्र राज्य क े  िाणे जिला में दहानु ताल्लुका को पाररजस्ट्थजतकी नािुक क्षेत्र क े रूप में घोषणा क े  जलए का.आ.संख्या 416 (अ), तारीख 20 िून, 1991 द्वारा प्रकाजित भारत सरकार पयाावरण, वन और िलवायु पररवतान मंत्रालय की अजधसूचना में जनम्नजलजखत संिोधन करती है, अथाात्:-

उि अजधसूचना में, पैरा 6 में, 'पयाावरण और वन मंत्रालय द्वारा योिना को अनुमोददत करवाना' िब्दों क े  स्ट्थान पर, 'राज्य सरकार में सक्षम प्राजधकारी द्वारा योिना को इसक े  प्रभावी कायाान्द्वयन क े  जलए अनुमोददत करवाना' िब्द, रखे िाएंगे।

[फा. सं. 25/120/2015-ईएसिेड-आरई]

डॉ. सतीि चन्द्र गढ़कोटी, वैज्ञाजनक 'िी'

रटप्पण : मूल  अजधसूचना  भारत  के   रािपत्र,  असाधारण,  भाग II ,  खंड  3,  उपधारा  (ii)  में  अजधसूचना  संख्याक का.आ. 416(अ), तारीख 20 िून, 1991 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी और संख्याक का.आ. 1211(अ), तारीख 18 नवम्बर, 2002 द्वारा अंजतम बार संिोजधत की गयी थी;

सं. 766]

No. 766]

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 22nd February, 2021

S.O. 834(E). -In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (v) of sub-section(2) and sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with sub-rule (4) of rule 5 of the  Environment  (Protection)  Rules,  1986,  the  Central  Government  hereby  makes  the  following  further amendment  in  the  notification  of  the  Government  of  India  in  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and Climate Change published vide number S.O. 416(E), dated the 20 th June, 1991 for declaration of Dahanu Taluka, District Thane in the State of Maharashtra as an ecologically fragile area, namely:-

In the said notification, in paragraph 6, for the words, ' get the plan approved by the Ministry of Environment  &  Forests ',  the  words  'get  the  plan  approved  by  the  Competent  Authority  in  the  State Government for its effective implementation' shall be substituted.

[F. No. 25/120/2015-ESZ-RE]

Dr. SATISH C. GARKOTI, Scientist 'G'

Note : The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section  (ii), vide notification  number  S.O.  416(E),  dated  the  20 th June,  1991  and  was  last amended vide number S.O. 1211(E), dated the 18 th November, 2002.