The Ministry of Environment and Forests notifies Matheran and surrounding region as an Eco-sensitive Zone and imposes restrictions on industries, operations, processes and other developmental activities in the region which have detrimental effect on the environment. A Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be prepared by the State Government and shall provide for restoration of denuded areas, management of catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater management, soil and moisture conservation, provision for fuel wood, needs of local community and such other aspects of the ecology and environment that need attention. Only non-hazardous and non-polluting small scale industries are permitted. Quarrying and mining are banned in the zone. A Tourism Master Plan shall be prepared with emphasis on eco-tourism. Natural heritage and manmade heritage sites and areas shall be identified for their conservation. Groundwater shall be used only for domestic or agricultural consumption. The discharge of any untreated effluent is prohibited within the Eco-Sensitive Zone and local authorities shall draw up plans for the segregation of solid wastes into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components. Annexure A shows the map of the Eco-sensitive Zone; Annexure B describes the boundary along with the list of villages; Annexure C contains the exceptions and exemptions in the 200 ms. buffer zone.
Notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests: Matheran and surrounding region as an Eco-sensitive Zone.