SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a Divisional Level Committee to monitor the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to a government order, sanction has been accorded for forming the committee to ensure effective oversight of the provisions outlined in notification S.O. 210(E) dated January 17, 2022, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
The committee will be chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, and will include the Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur, Jammu, and Samba, the Regional Wildlife Warden (Jammu Region), and the Regional Director of the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, J&K. Other members will include representatives from the Wildlife Trust of India, National Development Foundation, J&K Biodiversity Council, Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority, and officers from the Housing, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Agriculture departments. The Wildlife Warden of Kathua will serve as the Member Secretary.
The committee will remain functional until further orders. Non-official members will be nominated by the Union Territory Government as required. The committee is also empowered to invite representatives or experts from relevant departments, industry associations, or stakeholders to assist in its deliberations on specific matters. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may issue directions to the committee to ensure effective functioning.
The committee’s responsibilities will include monitoring compliance with the provisions of notification S.O. 210(E), scrutinising activities listed in the Schedule of the earlier notification S.O. 1533(E) dated September 14, 2006, that fall within the Eco-Sensitive Zone—excluding those prohibited under paragraph 4—and referring eligible cases to the central ministry for prior environmental clearance. It will also examine activities not covered in the Schedule but falling within the zone, except prohibited ones, and refer them to the relevant regulatory authorities.
The committee must submit an annual action taken report to the Chief Wildlife Warden by June 30 each year, covering activities up to March 31, using the prescribed proforma in Annexure V of the notification. Additionally, the Member Secretary or the concerned Deputy Commissioners will have the authority to file complaints under Section 19 of the Environment Protection Act against individuals found violating the notification’s provisions. (JKNS)
