G.S.R. 1227(E), Amendment to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, 2017
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued Notification G.S.R. 1227(E), dated 6 October 2017, as a further amendment to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. It changes the treatment of atomic mineral mining in Coastal Regulation Zones, including permitting specified manual mining in the intertidal area of CRZ-I by agencies authorised by the Department of Atomic Energy under an approved mining plan.
What the notification changes
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notification G.S.R. 1227(E), dated 6 October 2017, amends the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. The original notification declared certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zones and restricted the establishment and expansion of industries, operations and processes in those zones.
The amendment concerns atomic minerals notified under Part B of the First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. It covers those minerals whether they occur by themselves or together with other minerals.
Key provisions
- References to mining in the general restrictions and clearance provisions are replaced with wording specifically covering notified atomic minerals.
- CRZ-I provisions are expanded to allow manual mining of notified atomic minerals in the intertidal zone.
- CRZ-I manual mining may be conducted only by agencies authorised by the Department of Atomic Energy.
- Mining must follow a mining plan approved by the Department of Atomic Energy.
- Workers may use only baskets and hand spades to collect ore or minerals in the intertidal zone.
- Drilling, blasting and heavy earth moving machinery cannot be used for manual mining in the intertidal zone.
- CRZ-III provisions are amended to include mining of notified atomic minerals, including minerals occurring together with other minerals.
Who may be affected
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notification G.S.R. 1227(E) is relevant to authorised mining agencies, coastal landowners, buyers and professionals dealing with land in CRZ-I or CRZ-III where notified atomic minerals may occur. Its direct operational permission for intertidal manual mining applies only to agencies authorised by the Department of Atomic Energy and operating under a mining plan approved by that department.
Property buyers or owners dealing with affected coastal land should note that the amendment addresses atomic mineral mining activities, not ordinary private excavation. The source also states that atomic minerals are required by the Department of Atomic Energy for strategic and other requirements and are processed for strategic applications, including power generation.
Status of the 2011 framework
Notification G.S.R. 1227(E) further amends the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. The source records that the principal notification was published on 6 January 2011 and had already been amended several times before this amendment.
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
Does this notification permit anyone to mine atomic minerals in a CRZ-I intertidal area?
No. Manual mining in the CRZ-I intertidal zone is limited to agencies authorised by the Department of Atomic Energy and must follow a mining plan approved by that department.
What tools can be used for permitted manual mining in the intertidal zone?
Persons carrying out the work may use baskets and hand spades to collect ore or minerals. Drilling, blasting and heavy earth moving machinery are excluded from the definition of manual mining.
Does the amendment apply when atomic minerals occur with other minerals?
Yes. The amended wording covers notified atomic minerals occurring by themselves or in association with one or more other minerals.
Which Coastal Regulation Zone categories are specifically changed?
The amendment changes provisions relating to CRZ-I and CRZ-III, along with general provisions on atomic mineral mining.
