03 September 2024

The Central Government, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, issued a notification on February 25, 2015, to establish an Eco-sensitive Zone around Madei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa. The Government now seeks to amend this notification, believing it is in the public interest to do so without the usual notice requirement.

The amendment includes the following changes to the original notification:

1. Monitoring Committee Composition:

   • Chief Secretary of Goa (Chairman, ex officio)
   • Member-Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board (Member, ex officio)
   • Principal Secretary from various Goan departments (Members, ex officio)
   • One expert in ecology from a reputed institution (Member, nominated every three years)
   • One representative from an environmental NGO (Member, nominated every three years)
   • One representative from a community-based organization (Member, nominated every three years)
   • Chief Conservator of Forests, Goa (Member Secretary, ex officio)

2. Duties of the Monitoring Committee:

   • Scrutinize activities in the Eco-sensitive Zone based on site-specific conditions.
   • Refer activities to the Central Government or State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for environmental clearances if required.
   • For activities not listed in the notification, the Committee will review and refer them to relevant authorities.

3. Additional Provisions:

   • The Member-Secretary, Collector, or Deputy Conservator of Forests can file complaints for violations.
   • The Committee may invite experts or stakeholders as needed.
   • An annual report on the Committee’s activities must be submitted by June 30 each year.
   • The Central Government may issue written directions to the Committee for effective functioning.