S.O. 4547(E), Draft Amendment to Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued S.O. 4547(E) on 1 November 2021 as a draft notification proposing further amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. It proposes changes concerning Coastal Regulation Zone clearances, exploratory drilling, temporary beach shacks, specified coastal infrastructure, mapping, island plans and manual removal of sand bars. It is a draft for public objections and suggestions, not a final amendment.
What the draft governs
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change published S.O. 4547(E), dated 1 November 2021, to invite public comments on proposed changes to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. The proposals concern activities and development in coastal areas classified as Coastal Regulation Zones.
The draft is relevant to coastal property owners, project developers, traditional coastal communities, government authorities and professionals assessing whether a proposed activity needs Coastal Regulation Zone clearance.
Proposed clearance changes
S.O. 4547(E), dated 1 November 2021, proposes that:
- All permissible or regulated projects and activities affected by the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification must obtain clearance before starting, except where the notification provides a specific alternative arrangement.
- Development activities and projects in Coastal Regulation Zone I and Coastal Regulation Zone IV areas would generally receive clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change based on the recommendation of the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority.
- Standalone jetties, breakwaters, groynes, salt works, slipways and manually operated erosion control barriers are listed as exceptions. Their clearance would be handled case by case by the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority or the Ministry, where applicable.
- Construction for Department of Atomic Energy projects or defence requirements would be handled by the Ministry based on the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority's recommendation.
- The relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority would consider listed exceptional projects within sixty days after receiving a complete proposal.
Other proposed changes
The draft amendment also provides that:
- Exploratory drilling operations for oil and natural gas would be exempt from prior Coastal Regulation Zone clearance.
- Temporary and seasonal beach shacks may be retained during the monsoon with adequate precautions. For Goa and Maharashtra, shacks normally installed from September to May may remain from June to August, but their facilities must not operate during those months.
- Coastal Regulation Zone maps must be prepared at a 1:4000 scale by an agency identified by the Ministry, using the specified coastal boundary demarcations.
- Integrated Island Management Plans must be prepared for applicable islands in Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and submitted to the Ministry for approval.
- State governments may permit registered members of traditional coastal communities to remove sand bars manually within intertidal areas. Permissions may specify the area, period and quantity and must be renewed annually.
Public comments
Any interested person could submit written objections or suggestions within sixty days from the date Gazette copies were made available to the public. Submissions could be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110003, or to [email protected] and [email protected].
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
Did S.O. 4547(E) immediately change the Coastal Regulation Zone rules?
No. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change published S.O. 4547(E), dated 1 November 2021, as a draft for public objections and suggestions.
Would a permissible coastal project still need clearance before work starts?
Yes. The draft says permissible or regulated projects and activities must obtain Coastal Regulation Zone clearance before starting unless a specific alternative arrangement applies.
Does the draft exempt exploratory oil and gas drilling from prior clearance?
Yes. The proposed text exempts exploratory drilling operations from prior Coastal Regulation Zone clearance.
Can traditional coastal communities remove sand bars?
The draft allows state governments to permit registered members of traditional coastal communities to remove sand bars manually within intertidal areas. The permission may control the location, period and quantity and must be renewed annually.
