MINISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the
5th July, 1996
S.O.481(E).--Whereas anthropogenic activities cause
air, water and land pollution thereby endangering forests, genepool reserves,
vegetation and living creatures and these activities are required to be carried
out at a safe distance so as to ensure that our natural resources are not be
affected adversely;
And
whereas the Kaziranga National Park with Headquarter at Bokhakat in the State
of Assam is the home of three-fourth of the total population of Rhino and
contains largest single concentration of endangered species wild animals like
swamp-deer, wild-buffalo, elephants, tigers and Gangetic Dolphins and it is the
only park of its kind with a viable low land grassland ecosystem in South Asia;
And
whereas M/s. IBP Co. Ltd. under the administrative control of the Central
Government in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is proposing to set-up
a Petroleum Refinery at Numaligarh (East of Kaziranga) and the developmental
activities for said refinery is likely to cause tremendous pressure on the
natural resources and the wild-life habitat in the Kaziranga National Park and
its surroundings;
And
whereas it is proposed to create a "No Development Zone" within a
radius of 15 km around the said refinery site except towards North West where
the "No Development Zone" shall extend right up to the eastern
boundary of the said park;
And whereas clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of
the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 provides that whenever the Central
Government considers that prohibition or restrictions of any industry or
carrying on any processes or operation in any area should be imposed, it shall
give notice of its intention to do so;
And
whereas sub-rule (4) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986
provides that, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3), whenever it
appears to the Central Government that it is in public interest to do so, it
may dispense with the requirement of notice under clause (a) of sub-rule (3);
And whereas in view of the magnitude and the urgency
of the threat to the environment the Central Government is of the opinion that
it is in public interest to dispense with the requirement of notice under
clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules,
1986;
Now,
therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause
(v) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(29 of 1986) read with clause (d) of sub-rule (3) read with sub-rule (4) of
rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government
hereby directs that on and from the date of the publication of this
notification the expansion of industrial area, townships, infrastructure
facilities and such other activities which could lead to pollution and
congestion shall not be allowed within "No Development Zone"
specified in the Appendix to this notification, except with the prior approval
of the Central Government.
APPENDIX
"No Development Zone".
The
coordinates of the "No Development Zone" around Numaligarh refinery
site are as follows:-
_____________________________________________________
Longitude Latitude
_____________________________________________________
1. 93o-32'-49" 26o-40'-30"
2. 93o-33'-15" 26o-41'-45"
3. 93o-36'-45" 26o-37'-30"
4. 93o-40'-30" 26o-40'-45"
5. 93o-47'-30" 26o-43'-40"
6. 93o-47'-10" 26o-26'-08"
7. 93o-58'-30" 26o-34'-20"
_____________________________________________________
(No.J-11011/16/90-IA-II)
VISHWANATH ANAND
ADDITIONAL SECRETARY