S.O. 1393(E), Amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, 2017
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued notification S.O. 1393(E), dated 3 May 2017, to amend the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. It changes the clearance process and validity period for Coastal Regulation Zone projects, introduces compliance and public disclosure requirements, and adds specific provisions for Greater Mumbai and Goa.
What the notification changes
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notification S.O. 1393(E), dated 3 May 2017, further amends the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. The amendments cover project clearance, post-clearance monitoring, transparency by Coastal Zone Management Authorities, and limited location-specific provisions.
The Central Government considered objections and suggestions received after a draft notification was published and made available to the public on 25 April 2016.
Who may be affected
The amended Coastal Regulation Zone requirements may affect project proponents seeking clearance for construction or operation in Coastal Regulation Zone areas. They also affect Coastal Zone Management Authorities, State and Union territory environment departments, regulatory authorities, and people seeking access to project compliance information.
The special sewage treatment plant provision applies only to Coastal Regulation Zone areas within the municipal limits of Greater Mumbai. The seasonal restriction on dismantling structures applies only to Goa.
Key clearance and monitoring provisions
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change or the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority must consider projects for clearance, based on recommendations from the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority, within sixty days.
- If a Coastal Zone Management Authority is not operating because of reconstitution or another reason, the relevant State Government or Union territory environment department must comment on and recommend proposals to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- A clearance granted under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification is valid for five years from its issue for commencement of construction and operation.
- Project proponents must submit half-yearly compliance reports in hard and soft copies on 1 June and 31 December each calendar year.
- Compliance reports must be published in the public domain and displayed on the relevant regulatory authority's website. Copies must be provided to any person who applies to the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority.
Transparency and location-specific provisions
Each Coastal Zone Management Authority must maintain a dedicated website containing agendas, minutes, decisions, clearance letters, violations, action taken, court matters, court orders and approved Coastal Zone Management Plans.
Greater Mumbai municipal authorities may construct sewage treatment plants in Coastal Regulation Zone I only in exceptional circumstances where no alternative site is available, subject to the required recommendation and Central Government approval. Three times the number of mangroves cut or destroyed during construction must be replanted.
In Goa, specified structures must not be removed or dismantled from June to August, but their facilities must remain non-operational during those months.
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
How long is a Coastal Regulation Zone project clearance valid?
A clearance is valid for five years from the date it is issued for commencement of construction and operation.
Can I obtain a project's Coastal Regulation Zone compliance reports?
Yes. Compliance reports must be published in the public domain, and copies must be given to any person who applies to the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority.
When must a project proponent file compliance reports?
Half-yearly reports must be submitted in hard and soft copies on 1 June and 31 December of each calendar year.
Do the Greater Mumbai and Goa changes apply specifically to Tamil Nadu?
No. The sewage treatment plant provision is expressly limited to Greater Mumbai, and the June to August restriction on removing or dismantling structures is expressly limited to Goa.
