S.O. 329 (E), Coastal Regulation Zone Amendment, 2001
The Central Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Forests, issued Notification S.O. 329 (E), dated 12 April 2001, to amend the Coastal Regulation Zone notification issued on 19 February 1991. The amendment changes restrictions and permitted activities relating to industries, construction, land reclamation, mining, ports, energy projects, pipelines, transmission systems and liquefied natural gas facilities in Coastal Regulation Zone areas.
What the notification changes
Notification S.O. 329 (E), dated 12 April 2001, issued by the Central Government through the Ministry of Environment and Forests, further amends the Coastal Regulation Zone notification dated 19 February 1991. The original notification declared coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone areas and restricted industries, operations and processes within them.
The amendment is relevant to coastal landowners, buyers, developers, industries, port operators, infrastructure agencies and authorities considering activities in Coastal Regulation Zone areas.
Industries and energy facilities
The Ministry of Environment and Forests notification changes the restrictions on new industries and expansion of existing industries. Key provisions include:
- Industries directly related to the waterfront or directly requiring foreshore facilities are excepted from the general restriction.
- Projects of the Department of Atomic Energy are also excepted.
- Facilities for receiving and storing specified petroleum products and liquefied natural gas, and facilities for regasifying liquefied natural gas, may be permitted in areas not classified as CRZ-I (i).
- Such petroleum and liquefied natural gas facilities remain subject to applicable safety guidelines and environmental improvement and restoration conditions imposed by the Central Government.
Construction and coastal works
Notification S.O. 329 (E) permits specified construction connected with Department of Atomic Energy projects or defence requirements where foreshore facilities such as slipways, jetties, wharves and quays are essential. Residential buildings, offices, hospital complexes and workshops are not normally treated as operational requirements, except in very special cases.
The notification also addresses construction for ports, harbours, lighthouses, jetties, wharves, quays, slipways, pipelines, conveying systems and transmission lines. New construction in CRZ-I is generally not permitted except for specified projects, communication systems and facilities essential to activities allowed in that zone.
Reclamation and mining
The Ministry of Environment and Forests notification provides that:
- Land reclamation or interference with the natural flow of seawater may be allowed where required for specified ports, coastal infrastructure, erosion control, waterways, drainage, salinity control or freshwater recharge works.
- Reclamation for shopping or housing complexes, hotels and entertainment activities is not permitted.
- Mining of sand, rocks and other substrata is restricted, with exceptions for rare minerals unavailable outside Coastal Regulation Zone areas and for oil and natural gas exploration and extraction.
Environmental clearances issued by the Ministry of Surface Transport from 9 July 1997 until publication of the notification remain valid. Pending proposals were transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can I build a house in a CRZ-I area under this notification?
The notification generally does not permit new construction in CRZ-I except for specified projects and essential facilities. Residential buildings connected with defence or atomic energy projects are also not normally treated as operational requirements, except in very special cases.
Does the notification allow land reclamation for a coastal housing or hotel project?
No. Reclamation for commercial purposes such as housing complexes, shopping complexes, hotels and entertainment activities is not permitted.
Can liquefied natural gas facilities be permitted in Coastal Regulation Zone areas?
Facilities for receiving, storing and regasifying liquefied natural gas may be permitted in areas not classified as CRZ-I (i). They are subject to safety guidelines and environmental improvement and restoration conditions.
Are earlier environmental clearances from the Ministry of Surface Transport still valid?
Environmental clearances issued by the Ministry of Surface Transport from 9 July 1997 until the publication date of Notification S.O. 329 (E) remain valid. Proposals pending with that ministry were treated as transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
