Assam Forest Department A Draft Proposal for Declaring … Sonai-Rupai_final.pdf · Government of Assam Assam Forest Department A Draft Proposal for Declaring Eco-sensitive Zone around

Government of Assam

Assam Forest Department

A Draft Proposal

for

Declaring Eco-sensitive Zone around

Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary

Prepared by

Divisional Forest OfficerWestern Assam Wildlife Division, Tezpur

SONAI-RUPAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

2014

Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary – An Introduction.

Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the important component of single ecological unit comprising of reserve forests such as Charduar, Balipara, Naduar, Biswanath, Behali and Nameri National Park in the east and Rowta reserve forest in the west. The sanctuary lies between 26051′ 55.13″ to 26057′ 35.4″ N latitude and 92020′ 40.6″ to 92034′41.67″ E longitudes and located towards the northern part of Assam in the district of Sonitpur. It shares contiguous northern boundary with reserve forest of Arunachal Pradesh.

Together with Nameri National Park, this sanctuary is part of the Sonitpur – Kameng Elephant Reserve as well as one of the important Protected Areas on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra. The sanctuary is known for conservation of mega-herbivores such as Asian Elephant, Indian Bison as well as several carnivores including leopard. As per the forest records, even the endangered Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros was sighted in the park till 1983.

DATES AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT

1878 – Constitution of Charduar Reserve Forest 1934 – Designated as “Sonai-Rupai Game Sanctuary”- 1998 – Notified as “Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary” – Notification No. 172 dt 22.10.1998

LAND TENURE

State, in Sonitpur district. The sanctuary is managed by Assam Forest Department.

AREA

Total Area – 220 sq km.

ALTITUDE

Within the sanctuary the slope is gentle that gradually increases towards the interstate boundary in the north. Average altitude within the reserve is 170 m with a range from 100 – 450 metre.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The reserve is mostly plain except the northern side where the terrain is undulating with slope increasing gradually towards the north. There are four perennial rivers namely, Dolsiri, Gabharu, Gelgeli and Belsiri. During rainy season, several bheels (wetlands) also come into existence. The soils is mostly composed of clay loam with fine sand. The Bhabar formation consisting of boulders, cobbles and gravels is noticeable in most part of the reserve and it prominent in the northern part.

CLIMATE

There are three main seasons: summer, which is hot from March to May. Rainy season from June to October and winter from November to February. Most of the rainfall is received during May to September. Maximum temperature of 40 degree celsius is recorded during July – August period and minimum temperature of 6 degree celsius is recorded in January. Through out the year, humidity remains at fairly high levels.

VEGETATION

Sonai-Rupai forests comprise of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests with cane brakes and narrow strips of open grassland along rivers. Grassland comprise less than 10%

Draft proposal for Sonai-Rupai Eco-sensitive Zone Page 2

of the total area of the park while the semi-evergreen and moist deciduous species dominate the area. Forest types available within the reserve are: Assam Valley Tropical Evergreen Forests, Sub Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi- Ever- green Forests, Eastern Alluvial Secondary Semi Evergreen Forests, Cane Brakes, Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, Eastern Hollock Forests, Eastern Seasonal Swamp Forests, Eastern Dillenia Swamp Forests and Eastern Wet Alluvial Grassland.

FAUNA

A systematic study on the checklist of biodiversity is yet to be done. However, there have many records of occurrence of carnivores and herbivores within the reserve. The main predators of the sanctuary are leopard and wild dog. In the past tiger presence was reported. Mega herbivores like Asian elephant and Indian Gaur do occur at fairly good numbers. Other species recorded are sambar, barking deer, hog deer, Himalayan Crestless porcupine, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Black bear and Sloth bear.

Fairly good avifaunal diversity exists in Sonai-Rupai Wildlife sanctuary although no formal bird checklist has been prepared. Some of the rare and endangered bird species sighted in the reserve includes white winged wood duck, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill and Bengal Florican. Though information regarding reptile and invertebrates diversity is sketchy but field observations indicate that these species do occur within the sanctuary.


SONAI-RUPAI ECOSENSITIVE ZONE - DRAFT PROPOSAL

1. Boundaries of Eco-sensitive Zone:-

(i) The said Eco-sensitive Zone is the area upto five kilometers from the boundary of the protected area of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary which is further divided into 0 – 1km zone, 1 – 2 km zone and 3 -5 km zones. The boundary coordinates of different zones is given in the Annexure B. There is no zone to the north of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary because of the presence of Reserved Forest of Arunachal Pradesh with no human habitations. This RF offers natural protection to the sanctuary. Considering the RF and the administrative jurisdiction of Arunachal Pradesh no eco-sensitive zone is proposed to the north of the sanctuary.

(ii) The map of the Eco-sensitive Zone is at Annexure-A and the list of the villages falling within five kilometers distance of the boundary of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eco-sensitive Zone are as follows: Balikuthi, Betibari TG, Bhaiganajuli, Bherberi, Bhotapara, Chapai Raumar, Deonsani, Dhandai TG, Dhankana No 2, Dhankhana No 1, Dighalijuli, Gabharu, Ghoranibil, Hatitopa, Jaggapur, Jhargaon, Jiaghabharu, Jingabil, Kachharigaon, Kadabil, Kalamati, Kathalguri, Kolabari, Lokampur, Lotara, Naharani, Nepalibasti, Ramnathpur, Rikamari, Tarajuli, Tarajuli TG (Note: list of village is not exhaustive)

(iii) All activities in the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary are being governed by the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972).

2. Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-sensitive Zone:-

(I) A Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be prepared by the State Government within a period of two year from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette and submitted for approval to the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

(II) The Zonal Master Plan shall be prepared with due involvement of all the State Departments concerned, such as Environment, Forest, Urban Development, Tourism, Municipal and Revenue Department and the Assam State Pollution Control Board for integrating environmental and ecological considerations into it and shall provide for restoration of denuded areas, reserve forests, wildlife corridors, conservation of existing water bodies, management of catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater management, needs of local community and such other aspects of the ecology and environment that need attention.

(III) The Zonal Master Plan shall demarcate all the existing village settlements, types and kinds of forests, agricultural areas, fertile lands, green areas, horticultural areas, orchards, wetlands/ lakes and other water bodies and change of land use from green uses such as orchards, horticulture areas, agriculture parks and others like places to non green uses shall be permitted in the Zonal Master Plan, except that strictly limited conversion of agricultural lands maybe permitted to meet the residential needs of the existing local residents together with natural growth of the existing local populations, without the prior approval of the State Government.

(IV)The Zonal Master Plan shall be a reference document for the State Level Monitoring Committee for any decision to be taken by them including consideration for relaxation. The


Zonal Master Plan shall indicate measures and lay down stipulations for regulation of traffic. Please refer Annexure E for the composition of state level monitoring committee.

(V) Pending the preparation of the Zonal Master Plan for Eco-sensitive Zone and approval thereof by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, all new constructions shall be allowed only after the proposals are scrutinized and approved by the Monitoring Committee as referred to in paragraph 4 and there shall be no consequential reduction in Forest, Green and Agricultural area.

(VI)The State Government shall prescribe additional measures, if necessary, in furtherance of the objectives and for giving effect to the provisions of this notification.

3. Regulated or restrictive activities in the Eco-sensitive Zone -

Table 1 contains the list of activities that are prohibited, restricted and permitted in the Sonai-Rupai Eco-sensitive Zone. However, few of the major activities that may have significant impact on Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary are mentioned here.

(a) Industrial Units:-

(I) No new wood based industry shall be set up within 2 (two) kilometers from the boundary of the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

(II) No new polluting industry shall be set up within 3 (three) kilometers from the boundary of the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

(III) No new highly polluting industry shall be set up within 5 (five) kilometers from the boundary of the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

(b) Construction Activities:-

(I) From the boundary of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary upto a distance of five hundred meters, no new construction of any kind shall be allowed.

(II) In the area falling between five hundred meters to 1 km from the boundary of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, new construction of any building more than two storeys (twenty five feet) shall not be allowed.

(c) Quarrying and Mining:-

I. Mining up to 5km kilometer shall not be allowed from the boundary of the protected area of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. II. Crushing activity upto two kilometers shall not be allowed from the boundary of the protected area of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. III. However, the Monitoring Committee shall be the authority to grant special permission for limited quarrying of materials required for the construction of local residential housing and traditional road making and maintenance work in the Zone based on site evaluation.

(d) Trees:-

Felling of trees on forest and revenue land shall be subject to the approved working plan of territorial forest divisions or management plan by the Government of Assam or an authority


nominated for that purpose.

(e) Water:-

(i) Extraction of ground water shall be permitted only for the bona-fide agricultural and domestic consumption and sale of ground water shall be permitted except with the prior approval of the State Ground Water Board. (ii) All steps shall be taken by the authorities concerned to prevent contamination or pollution of water including from agriculture activities.

(f) Noise pollution:- The Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Assam shall be the authority to draw up guidelines and regulations for the control of noise in the Eco-sensitive Zone.

(g) Discharge of effluents:- No untreated or industrial effluent shall be permitted to be discharged into any water body within the Eco-sensitive Zone and treated effluent shall meet the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

(h) Solid Wastes:- (i) The solid waste disposal shall be carried out as per the provisions of the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 and the local authorities shall draw up plans for the segregation of solid wastes into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components. (ii) The biodegradable material may be recycled preferably through composting or vermiculture and the inorganic material may be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner at a site identified outside the Eco-sensitive Zone and no burning or incineration of solid wastes shall be permitted in the Eco-sensitive Zone.

4. Monitoring Committee:-

(1) Under the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), the Central Government hereby constitutes a committee to be called the Monitoring Committee to monitor the compliance with the provisions of this notification.

(2) Proposed Monitoring Committee shall consist of following members:

(I) Divisional Commissioner, Northern Assam Division - Chairman(II) Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur district, Tezpur - Member(III) Deputy Commissioner, Darrang district, Mangaldai - Member(IV) A representative of Non-Governmental Organizations working in the field of

environment to be nominated by the Government of India - Member (V) Regional Officer, Assam State Pollution Control Board - Member (VI) Senior Town Planner of the area - Member.(VII) Deputy Conservator of Forest, Western Assam Wildlife Division, Tezpur - Member

Secretary;

(3) In case of activities requiring prior permission or environmental clearance, such activities shall be referred to the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which shall be the Competent Authority for grant of such clearances as per the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, dated the 14th September 2007

(4) Monitoring Committee may also invite representatives or experts from concerned


Departments or Associations to assist in its deliberations depending on the requirements on issue to issue basis.

(5) Chairman or Member Secretary of Monitoring Committee shall be competent to file complaints under section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for non-compliance of the provisions of this notification.

(6) Monitoring Committee shall submit its annual action taken reports by the 31st March of every year to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests shall give directions to the Monitoring Committee from time to time for effective discharge of the functions of the Monitoring Committee.

5. Powers and functions of the Monitoring Committee: -

(1) In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3 and read with Section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), the Central Government shall empowers the Monitoring Committee to discharge the functions specifically enumerated in the notification (Proposal) and to do all things incidental thereto (except the function as are required to be performed by the Central Government under the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 27th January, 1994, as amended from time to time).

(2) It shall be the duty of the Monitoring Committee to file complaints under section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 if Commission of any offences under the said Act comes to its notice and in case of non-compliance of the directions issued by it.

(3) The Monitoring Committee or member of the Monitoring Committee authorized by it shall file complaints under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.


Table 1. List of Prohibited, regulated and permitted activities in the Sonai-Rupai Eco~sensitive Zone

Sl No Activity Zone Prohibited Regulated Permitted Remarks

1 Commercial mining 5 km Yes Prohibited up to 5 km

2 Commercial quarrying 5 km Yes Prohibited up to 5 km

3 Stone quarrying and establishment of crusher machines

3 km Yes Prohibited up to 3 km

4 Establishment of industries 3 Km Yes Prohibited up to 3 km

5 Establishment of commercial hotels and resorts 2 km Yes Prohibition up to 2 km. Strict regulation of existing hotels/ resorts

6 Setting up of saw mills 5 km Yes Prohibited up to 5 km. Strict regulation of existing mills

7 Change in land use pattern from Agriculture to horticulture or non agricultural purpose in wildlife corridors

3km Yes Up to 3 km no change in land use pattern is allowed

8 Establishment of large hydroelectric projects 5 km Yes Prohibited up to 5 km

9 Commercial use of natural water resources including ground water harvesting for commercial mineral water plants, aerated drinks bottling plants etc

5 km Yes Prohibited up to 5 km

10 Setting up of mobile telephone communication towers

3 km Yes Prohibition up to 3 km and regulated beyond 3 km zone.

11 Picnic along the Gabharu river and Belsiri river 1 km Yes It causes noise and water pollution.

13 Change in land use or land cover in areas having wildlife corridor value (western and eastern borders)

5 km Yes To prevent the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary from being an island in a sea of development and to facilitate movement of mega herbivores like Asian Elephant within the landscape.

14 Establishment of large scale green houses and other commercial agricultural / horticultural ventures

5 km Yes

15 Electric fencing, compound for commercial hotels/ resorts, private homestays, private farms, large scale commercial ventures

3 km Yes

16 Installation of electric cables for housing, agricultural and other subsistence purposes

3 km Yes Preferably underground cabling should be taken up.

17 Existing agricultural and horticultural practices by local communities

5 km Yes

18 Organic farming 3 km Yes Department of Agriculture to promote organic farming in ESZ

19 Widening of roads & railway tracks 5 km Yes Permitted after proper EIA and mitigation measures are put in place

20 Movement of vehicular traffic during night 2 km Yes Traffic within 2 km zone traffic will be regulated

21 Establishment of large scale commercial livestock/ poultry farms/ khuties (cattle camps)

3 km Yes

22 Use of polythene bags by tourists, commercial hotels and resorts

5 km Yes

23 Discharge of effluents and solid waste including medical waste in natural water bodies, rivers or terrestrial area

5 km Yes

24 Signboards and hoardings in buffer/ forest areas

3 km Yes

25 Erection of high tension power transmission lines

3 km Yes

26 Establishment of new brick kilns 3 km Yes Regulation of existing brick kilns

27 Introduction of exotic species (both flora and fauna)

5 km Yes

28 Commercial use of firewood in hotels/ resorts/ industries

2 km Yes

29 Establishment of ammunition depot/ dump/ firing range

3 km Yes

Annexure A: Map of Eco-sensitive Zone of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary


X Y X Y1 434150.75 2973194.90 57 458485.78 2977682.092 434220.43 2974120.27 58 458493.70 2978181.463 434283.44 2974362.94 59 458327.25 2978422.564 434540.61 2974768.14 60 458343.10 2978610.165 434522.23 2975293.79 61 458483.13 2978760.766 434851.32 2977008.44 62 458784.34 2978882.307 435265.26 2977607.52 63 458927.02 2979412.068 435647.94 2978751.16 64 459122.54 2979573.239 435953.42 2979108.10 65 458911.16 2979546.8110 437084.19 2979327.82 66 458705.08 2979750.2511 437259.33 2978918.34 67 458847.75 2979817.6312 436808.08 2978602.89 68 458686.58 2980058.0713 436765.81 2978444.36 69 458707.72 2980292.5614 436543.87 2978306.97 70 458887.39 2980514.5015 436469.89 2977905.36 71 458681.30 2980651.8916 436311.36 2977672.85 72 458623.17 2980910.8317 436173.96 2977186.69 73 458401.23 2981027.0818 435761.78 2976594.84 74 458422.36 2981127.4819 435730.08 2976024.13 75 458316.68 2981153.9120 435487.00 2975030.68 76 458131.72 2981534.3821 435560.98 2974901.21 77 458404.56 2981843.2822 435529.27 2974499.60 78 458807.40 2981876.2723 435212.21 2973992.30 79 459357.36 2982143.6524 435117.09 2973347.61 80 459362.59 2981560.8425 435212.21 2973030.55 81 459806.53 2980908.4226 435095.96 2972872.02 82 459880.74 2980629.6227 435169.94 2972586.67 83 459844.20 2980256.2428 435159.37 2971656.62 84 460099.61 2979786.1429 435275.62 2971545.65 85 460119.10 2979490.3530 450497.17 2971326.35 86 460019.31 2979122.5731 454846.18 2971389.76 87 459494.07 2978179.3432 459720.99 2971241.80 88 459706.49 2976763.2333 459995.78 2971310.50 89 459552.05 2976193.3134 459747.41 2971743.81 90 459615.07 2975799.6635 459187.27 2972134.86 91 459574.06 2975212.8736 458806.80 2972683.77 92 459439.10 2974932.3237 458743.39 2973032.53 93 459381.10 2974543.6938 458555.79 2973140.86 94 459527.52 2974080.7239 458426.33 2973471.13 95 459508.07 2973648.8840 458505.59 2973547.76 96 459903.89 2972859.1141 458521.44 2974039.86 97 460515.63 2972384.0042 458273.08 2974441.47 98 460774.73 2972005.0543 458109.27 2974531.30 99 460976.23 2971507.2744 458378.77 2974711.63 100 460990.09 2971203.9945 458455.39 2974941.50 101 460750.04 2970653.9346 458323.28 2975166.09 102 460518.25 2970457.8547 458024.72 2975255.92 103 459683.98 2970242.4948 458151.54 2975388.03 104 454849.95 2970389.4849 458613.92 2975492.39 105 450525.20 2970326.7450 458616.56 2975854.37 106 435261.84 2970545.7551 458418.40 2976361.67 107 434897.32 2970619.9752 458707.72 2976713.74 108 434585.15 2970822.3053 458615.24 2976903.97 109 434295.73 2971152.5154 458639.02 2977215.75 110 434159.89 2971688.8655 458509.56 2977322.76 111 434096.83 2972913.8156 458602.03 2977621.32 112 434150.75 2973194.90

Annexure B: Boundary coordinates of 0- 1km ZoneSl No Sl No


Boundary coordinates of 1-2 km ZoneX Y X Y X Y

1 433169.39 2973314.64 51 435764.14 2976592.48 101 458487.94 2977680.962 433943.22 2977419.68 52 435732.44 2976021.77 102 458602.03 2977621.323 434641.28 2978853.14 53 435626.75 2975694.14 103 458601.78 2977620.334 436648.46 2979243.15 54 435584.48 2975377.08 104 458451.58 2978273.615 435953.42 2979108.10 55 435489.36 2975028.32 105 458363.95 2978354.156 435647.94 2978751.16 56 435563.34 2974898.85 106 458363.76 2978354.517 434851.32 2977008.44 57 435531.63 2974497.24 107 458451.43 2978273.948 434540.61 2974768.14 58 435119.45 2973345.25 108 458451.58 2978273.619 434220.43 2974120.27 59 435214.57 2973028.19 109 459122.15 2979572.2410 434189.98 2971411.11 60 435161.73 2971654.37 110 459098.48 2979584.0811 434897.32 2970619.97 61 435117.09 2973347.61 111 459053.56 2979536.5212 460238.31 2970340.36 62 435529.27 2974499.60 112 458979.58 2979523.3113 460750.04 2970653.93 63 435487.00 2975030.68 113 458912.33 2979546.4314 460976.23 2971507.27 64 435761.78 2976594.84 114 458977.22 2979525.6715 460621.32 2972257.17 65 436543.87 2978306.97 115 459096.12 2979586.4416 459765.52 2973062.27 66 436808.08 2978602.89 116 459122.15 2979572.2417 459381.10 2974543.69 67 437259.33 2978918.34 117 458819.89 2979705.7818 459706.49 2976763.23 68 437084.19 2979327.82 118 458747.07 2979716.1919 459494.07 2978179.34 69 459748.89 2971742.05 119 458707.43 2979747.8920 460051.02 2979201.84 70 459240.62 2972071.31 120 458744.71 2979718.5521 460099.61 2979786.14 71 459342.88 2972042.66 121 458819.89 2979705.7822 459806.53 2980908.42 72 459607.09 2971836.57 122 458872.44 2980549.3723 459362.59 2981560.84 73 459748.89 2971742.05 123 458778.77 2980564.9924 459357.36 2982143.65 74 458743.69 2973031.95 124 458683.55 2980649.8925 458807.40 2981876.27 75 458687.62 2973080.38 125 458776.41 2980567.3426 460248.74 2982577.02 76 458558.01 2973139.87 126 458872.44 2980549.3727 461118.02 2979405.11 77 458685.26 2973082.73 127 458623.45 2980909.1928 460556.06 2977947.75 78 458743.69 2973031.95 128 458519.84 2980945.4629 460707.63 2976810.35 79 458521.50 2974039.48 129 458403.72 2981025.3830 460420.18 2974579.39 80 458447.18 2974103.56 130 458517.48 2980947.8231 460686.78 2973530.87 81 458446.80 2974104.21 131 458623.45 2980909.1932 461698.73 2972390.75 82 458521.44 2974039.86 132 458422.01 2981125.8033 461986.76 2971095.12 83 458521.50 2974039.48 133 458319.04 2981151.5534 461506.66 2969995.00 84 458274.59 2974439.37 134 458318.33 2981153.4935 461043.09 2969602.83 85 458206.74 2974460.25 135 458422.36 2981127.4836 459649.33 2969240.81 86 458129.41 2974478.12 136 458422.01 2981125.8037 435250.42 2969543.48 87 458204.38 2974462.6138 434521.37 2969691.93 88 458274.59 2974439.3739 433434.45 2970646.04 89 458325.64 2975163.7340 433162.77 2971718.75 90 458159.18 2975195.4341 433169.39 2973314.64 91 458027.27 2975254.8042 437084.19 2979327.82 92 458156.83 2975197.7943 437085.31 2979328.03 93 458325.64 2975163.7344 437260.57 2978915.43 94 458603.19 2977266.9445 436810.44 2978600.53 95 458511.91 2977320.4046 436768.17 2978442.00 96 458511.84 2977321.4247 436546.23 2978304.61 97 458602.03 2977268.5948 436472.24 2977903.00 98 458603.19 2977266.9449 436176.32 2977184.33 99 458601.78 2977620.3350 435986.09 2976824.99 100 458488.13 2977679.73

Sl No Sl No Sl No


Boundary Coordinates of 2-3 km ZoneX Y X Y

1 432180.67 2972245.23 51 460981.85 2978828.092 432100.94 2972995.03 52 461118.02 2979405.113 432185.67 2973436.74 53 461079.04 2979996.704 432160.27 2973838.45 54 460870.64 2980544.825 432239.24 2974373.86 55 460876.45 2980742.396 432428.25 2975101.87 56 460728.03 2981299.987 432520.22 2975268.10 57 460408.14 2981809.568 432776.46 2976864.09 58 460333.64 2982387.189 433032.77 2977833.28 59 460248.74 2982577.0210 433435.37 2978429.06 60 461139.57 2983008.7111 433504.71 2978625.79 61 461296.02 2982658.8812 434641.28 2978853.14 62 461362.61 2982148.5713 434339.84 2977996.91 63 461647.18 2981693.9014 433943.22 2977419.68 64 461869.80 2980857.5115 433772.36 2976773.55 65 461865.49 2980710.9716 433496.28 2974982.91 66 462056.11 2980209.6117 433357.02 2974731.23 67 462114.58 2979322.2318 433231.02 2974245.89 68 461910.33 2978456.7019 433146.67 2973674.05 69 461592.06 2977852.3320 433169.39 2973314.64 70 461574.19 2977637.4621 433100.06 2972953.24 71 461706.40 2976859.8422 433183.27 2972286.93 72 461589.79 2975873.4023 433162.77 2971718.75 73 461612.99 2975630.5124 433222.94 2971163.23 74 461462.09 2974579.5225 433434.45 2970646.04 75 461505.56 2974176.4126 433897.03 2970096.58 76 462160.12 2973535.1827 434521.37 2969691.93 77 462620.36 2972778.8028 435250.42 2969543.48 78 462939.48 2971898.4629 450555.58 2969324.78 79 462981.07 2970988.6230 454856.07 2969386.84 80 462747.72 2970108.2231 459649.33 2969240.81 81 462260.93 2969338.4332 460483.21 2969367.85 82 461565.57 2968750.1833 461043.09 2969602.83 83 460725.74 2968397.7134 461506.66 2969995.00 84 459612.31 2968241.5035 461831.19 2970508.19 85 454859.83 2968386.5636 461986.76 2971095.12 86 450583.61 2968325.1737 461959.03 2971701.69 87 435236.63 2968543.5838 461698.73 2972390.75 88 434143.07 2968766.2539 461286.21 2973021.82 89 433090.30 2969484.2040 460686.78 2973530.87 90 432570.81 2970141.9341 460518.14 2973955.47 91 432253.55 2970917.7242 460517.46 2974235.48 92 432163.29 2971750.9943 460420.18 2974579.39 93 432180.67 2972245.2344 460536.55 2974930.98 94 434641.28 2978853.1445 460614.09 2975583.68 95 437085.31 2979328.0346 460576.30 2976040.94 96 434641.28 2978853.1447 460631.36 2976155.80 97 434641.28 2978853.1448 460707.63 2976810.3549 460556.06 2977947.7550 460673.18 2978277.46

Sl No Sl No


Boundary coordinates of 3 – 5 km zoneX Y X Y X Y

1 430182.41 2972328.81 60 459369.53 2968250.49 119 463611.43 2975578.452 430102.68 2973078.60 61 459612.31 2968241.50 120 463600.86 2975385.573 430218.24 2973680.94 62 460450.96 2968329.02 121 463570.77 2975387.224 430187.48 2974167.25 63 460725.74 2968397.71 122 463524.97 2975001.605 430225.19 2974393.49 64 461565.57 2968750.18 123 463590.88 2974942.386 430255.68 2974629.80 65 462260.93 2969338.43 124 463696.56 2974815.557 430570.69 2975843.16 66 462747.72 2970108.22 125 464305.48 2973814.848 430606.04 2975907.05 67 462981.07 2970988.62 126 464321.09 2973823.429 430651.14 2976238.16 68 462939.48 2971898.46 127 464379.21 2973717.7310 431110.55 2976363.46 69 462692.93 2972572.95 128 464401.26 2973657.4311 431025.60 2977956.21 70 462704.91 2972578.00 129 464463.63 2973554.9212 431059.03 2978082.61 71 462620.36 2972778.80 130 464548.18 2973354.1113 433738.85 2978677.79 72 462160.12 2973535.18 131 464516.94 2973340.9614 433504.71 2978625.79 73 462054.43 2973662.01 132 464900.38 2972292.0115 433435.37 2978429.06 74 461517.39 2974144.59 133 464969.69 2970775.6016 433032.77 2977833.28 75 461505.56 2974176.41 134 464580.77 2969308.2817 432776.46 2976864.09 76 461505.04 2974392.59 135 463769.45 2968025.2818 432744.76 2976515.32 77 461486.54 2974508.85 136 462610.53 2967044.8819 432743.68 2976491.51 78 461462.09 2974579.52 137 461210.81 2966457.4320 432653.07 2976090.63 79 461496.69 2974651.45 138 460936.03 2966388.7321 432637.34 2975972.66 80 461612.99 2975630.51 139 459538.29 2966242.8722 432595.07 2975817.67 81 461612.20 2975647.27 140 459323.89 2966250.8123 432520.22 2975268.10 82 461614.43 2975687.88 141 458781.91 2966255.4824 432428.25 2975101.87 83 461589.79 2975873.40 142 458488.70 2966266.6225 432239.24 2974373.86 84 461592.00 2975878.01 143 458049.38 2966296.2426 432204.03 2974101.02 85 461706.40 2976859.84 144 457615.84 2966320.0627 432160.27 2973838.45 86 461640.91 2977159.74 145 457079.03 2966346.0328 432185.67 2973436.74 87 461641.01 2977166.52 146 456473.16 2966350.5529 432100.94 2972995.03 88 461574.19 2977637.46 147 456382.31 2966352.0630 432180.67 2972245.23 89 461592.06 2977852.33 148 455777.50 2966367.5631 432174.90 2972106.78 90 461878.62 2978377.43 149 454867.35 2966386.0032 432173.86 2972078.62 91 461910.33 2978456.70 150 454606.91 2966378.7633 432163.29 2971750.99 92 462114.58 2979322.23 151 454434.06 2966376.9534 432253.55 2970917.72 93 462056.11 2980209.61 152 453800.10 2966381.2635 432570.81 2970141.93 94 461865.49 2980710.97 153 453208.23 2966351.4636 433090.30 2969484.20 95 461869.80 2980857.51 154 452956.75 2966345.1337 433206.56 2969373.23 96 461647.18 2981693.90 155 452444.17 2966345.1338 434143.07 2968766.25 97 461631.33 2981730.89 156 452379.24 2966345.5539 435236.63 2968543.58 98 461362.61 2982148.57 157 451668.00 2966354.7940 450378.92 2968334.85 99 461296.02 2982658.88 158 450639.66 2966325.9641 450378.93 2968335.88 100 461139.57 2983008.71 159 450351.43 2966341.0342 450583.61 2968325.17 101 460414.23 2982657.48 160 450351.35 2966335.0443 451652.95 2968355.15 102 462921.47 2983871.54 161 435209.07 2966543.7744 452405.21 2968345.38 103 463220.79 2983202.27 162 433386.46 2966914.8945 452444.17 2968345.13 104 463269.37 2982829.99 163 431825.60 2967926.5146 452956.75 2968345.13 105 463469.62 2982518.73 164 431709.35 2968037.4947 453107.64 2968348.93 106 463485.47 2982481.74 165 430843.53 2969133.7148 453756.57 2968381.61 107 463856.50 2981087.76 166 430314.77 2970426.6849 454447.66 2968376.91 108 463855.19 2981043.27 167 430164.33 2971815.4750 454551.37 2968377.99 109 464010.25 2980635.44 168 430174.90 2972143.1051 454859.83 2968386.56 110 464107.70 2979156.47 169 430176.63 2972190.0552 455823.38 2968367.05 111 463767.28 2977713.92 170 430182.41 2972328.8153 456433.57 2968351.40 112 463735.58 2977634.6554 456488.08 2968350.50 113 463607.58 2977400.1155 457134.85 2968345.67 114 463703.95 2976958.8256 457719.04 2968317.40 115 463579.67 2975892.1657 458171.51 2968292.54 116 463602.87 2975893.2558 458623.22 2968262.09 117 463610.80 2975724.1559 458799.15 2968255.41 118 463601.96 2975649.78

Sl No Sl No Sl No

Annexure C: Verification of a site's location with respect to proposed Eco-sensitive Zone

A simple procedure is envisaged for verifying the location of a site which may be a plot of land, proposed industrial unit, hotel/ resort, with respect to the Eco-sensitive Zone of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. All that a user agency/ individual / business group (that is planning to undertake developmental activities close to the ecosensitive zone) needs to do is to collect GPS coordinates (in UTM coordinates format) of the proposed site and give it to either Revenue or Forest Department for verification.

Upon receiving the coordinates, officials concerned will overlay the coordinates on the shape files of eco-sensitive zones in GIS software such as Quantum GIS (which is freely available on the internet without any charge) to ascertain the location of proposed site. Necessary shape files and GIS data will be made available by the Assam Forest Department. Depending upon the site's location, officials concerned will direct the user agency / individual to approach the monitoring committee for clearance.

It is also proposed to make the entire exercise of site verification a web based database query wherein user agency/ individual will enter coordinates of a location over the internet to find out the restrictions / regulations applicable to a particular activity, if any.


Annexure D: Minutes of public consultation held to discuss the ESZ of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary

Minutes of the meeting held on 12-11-2013 at the Office campus of Kalamati Range regarding the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary under western Assam Wildlife Division, Dolabari, Tezpur.

The following Members were present in the meeting.

1. Mr A. Baig, (AFS), A.C.F., W.A.W.L. Division, Tezpur.2. Mr R.K. Gogoi, (AFS), A.C.F., W.A.W.L. Division, Tezpur.3. Mr K.K. Bora, AFS, A.C.F., Sonitpur West Division, Tezpur.4. Mr Toyaram Chetry, President Jiagabharu Gram Panchayat (G.P).5. Mr Rathindra Dey, Zila Parishad member.6. Mrs Minati Das, Vice President, Jiagabharu G.P.7. Mr Sudarshan Johari, R.O., Kalamati Range.8. Mr Anjan Kr. Das, R.O., Dhekiajuli Range.9. Mr Nripen Adhikary, Mandal, O/o the Circle Office, Dhekiajuli.10. Mr Amio Roy, Mandal, O/o the Circle Office, Dhekiajuli.11. Mr Badan Das, Chief Secretary, Forest Conservation Society, Assam.12. Mr Durga Ram Sahu, Gaonburha, Rikamari.13. Mr Chandan Doimary, (All Bodo Student Union, MAC Vice President).14. Mr Ram Prasad Boro (ABSU MAC, General Secretary).15. Mr Amal Boro16. Mr Bikram Basumatary.17. Mr Pawan Boro (ABSU, MAC).18. Mr Serja Doimary (ABSU, MAC).19. Mr Netra Jyoti Gayan, Fr-I, Dhekiajuli Range.20. Mr Chinmoy Dhar, F.R.21. Mr Gopal Deka, Fr-I22. Mr Upananda Hazarika, Fr-I23. Mr Ram Mahali

The meeting was prescribed over by Mr Toyaram Chetry, President, Jiagabharu Panchayat. At the outset of the meeting Mr Ramesh Kr. Gogoi, A.C.F., O/o the D.F.O., W.A.W.L. Division, Tezpur welcomed the members presnt. Mr Gogoi, A.C.F. explained the purpose of the meeting by giving a presentation about the concept of Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ), Govt. of India’s direction & guidelines for declaration of ESZ, the need for creating an Eco- Sensitive Zone and responsibility of the Committee.Discussion and suggestions.

• The Zila Parishad member Mr Rathindra Dey suggested that considering the importance of Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary the extent of Eco-Sensitive Zone should be 10 km. He also appraised the members of the meeting that the Army authorities are planning to construct a boundary wall along the periphery of the cantonment area which will hamper the elephant corridors, as the cantonment area is almost attached to the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

• The Zilla Parishad Member also mentioned about the utilization of water by the Army authorities in the Missamari Cantonment area, the source being the natural water course of Gabharu River. As the requirement of water by the army have increased many times the natural source will be in scarcity in near future which will effect the environment in long run.

• Mr Ram Prasad Boro, Member of ABSU suggested that instead of 10 km. Eco-Sensitive


Zone the extent should be 5 km. Because many youths are engaged in the quary which will come within the 10 km radius and their livelihood will be at stake.

• Mr Badan Das, of the NGO, Forest Camps are required in the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary so that proper monitory & protection can be done and also sensitising the people of the Eco-Sensitive Zone.

• Tthe mebers have agreed to the provisions of proposed ESZ of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary considering the importance of conserving forest & wildlife of the sanctuary in particular and landscape in general.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Mr A.Baig, A.C.F., O/o the D.F.O., W.A.W.L. Division, Tezpur.


Annexure E: Composition of State Level Monitoring Committee

The State Level ESZ Monitoring Committee will consists of following members.

1. Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam Chairperson

2. PCCF &HoFF, Assam Member

3. PCCF, WL, Assam & C.W.L.W Member Secretary

4. Principal Secretary, E&F Deptt, Vice Chairman

5. Principal Secretary, Revenue Deptt, Member

6. Principal Secretary, Industry & Power Deptt, Member

7. Principal Secretary, Agriculture Deptt, Member

8. Principal Secretary, Mining & Soil Conservation Deptt. Member

9. Principal Secretary, Tourism & Transport Deptt. Member

10. Principal Secretary, Water Resources Member

11. Principal Secretary, P.W.D Member

12. Principal Secretary, Rural Dev. Deptt. Member

Documents

Assam Forest Department A Draft Proposal for Declaring … Sonai-Rupai_final.pdf · Government of Assam Assam Forest Department A Draft Proposal for Declaring Eco-sensitive Zone around