Issuance of EC and CRZ Clearances for Developmental Projects in Kutch and Morbi, Gujarat
The Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, IA-III Division, issued Office Memorandum File Number 12-4/2018-IA.III (Pt.) dated 7 February 2020, allowing Environmental Clearances and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances approved by the competent authority to be issued for development projects in the coastal districts of Kutch and Morbi in Gujarat. The memorandum follows approval of the Coastal Zone Management Plans for those districts and does not state that it applies to Tamil Nadu.
What the memorandum does
The Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, IA-III Division, issued Office Memorandum File Number 12-4/2018-IA.III (Pt.) dated 7 February 2020. It informs the relevant authorities that Environmental Clearances and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances may now be issued for approved development projects in the coastal districts of Kutch and Morbi in Gujarat.
The permission to issue clearances applies where:
- The development project falls within Kutch or Morbi district in Gujarat.
- The competent authority has approved the Environmental Clearance or Coastal Regulation Zone clearance.
- The project is one for which the relevant clearance is ready to be issued.
Reason for the decision
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change records that the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the Coastal Zone Management Plans for Kutch and Morbi districts. This approval followed an order dated 22 November 2017 of the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, in Original Application Number 424 of 2016 and Original Application Number 11 of 2014.
The memorandum connects approval of those Coastal Zone Management Plans with the ability to issue Environmental Clearances and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances for development projects in the two districts.
Who is affected
Office Memorandum File Number 12-4/2018-IA.III (Pt.) is relevant to project proponents and authorities dealing with development projects in Kutch and Morbi districts of Gujarat. It was addressed to all Member Secretaries in the Impact Assessment Division and to the Member Secretary of the Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority within the Government of Gujarat's Department of Forests and Environment.
Relevance to Tamil Nadu property
Office Memorandum File Number 12-4/2018-IA.III (Pt.) concerns only Kutch and Morbi districts in Gujarat. It does not identify any Tamil Nadu coastal district, property or authority, and it does not state that it changes Coastal Regulation Zone requirements or clearance procedures in Tamil Nadu.
The memorandum does not provide new clearance rates, fees, application procedures or development conditions. Its stated function is to permit the issue of clearances already approved by the competent authority for qualifying projects in the two Gujarat districts.
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 memorandum apply to coastal property in Tamil Nadu?
No Tamil Nadu area is identified. The memorandum concerns development projects in the coastal districts of Kutch and Morbi in Gujarat.
Does the memorandum itself approve every project in Kutch and Morbi?
No. It says Environmental Clearances and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances may be issued for development projects that have been approved by the competent authority.
Why could clearances be issued after this memorandum?
The memorandum records that the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the Coastal Zone Management Plans for Kutch and Morbi districts following the National Green Tribunal order dated 22 November 2017.
Does the memorandum specify fees or application procedures?
No. The source does not state any fees or detailed application procedure.
