S.O. 1242(E), Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019

Scope and purpose

Notification S.O. 1242(E), dated 8 March 2019, was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to protect coastal and marine environments while supporting sustainable development and the livelihoods of fishing and other local communities. It covers specified Andaman and Nicobar islands, including Middle Andaman, North Andaman, South Andaman, Great Nicobar, Baratang, Havelock, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Neil and Long Island, together with coastal waters up to the territorial water limit.

The notification does not apply to land in Tamil Nadu.

Island groups and regulated coastal strips

Notification S.O. 1242(E) places the eight larger oceanic islands into two groups:

• Group I covers islands exceeding 1,000 square kilometres, including South Andaman, Middle Andaman, North Andaman and Great Nicobar. The regulated landward strip extends 200 metres from the High Tide Line.
• Group II covers islands exceeding 100 square kilometres but below 1,000 square kilometres, including Baratang, Little Andaman, Havelock and Car Nicobar. The regulated landward strip extends 100 metres from the High Tide Line.
• The High Tide Line must be marked by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management or an agency authorised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Coastal classifications

The Island Coastal Regulation Zone is divided into:

• ICRZ-I, environmentally sensitive areas and intertidal land. Sensitive features include mangroves, coral and coral reefs, sand dunes, biologically active mudflats, protected areas, salt marshes, turtle nesting grounds, horseshoe crab habitats, seagrass beds, seaweed areas, bird breeding grounds and heritage or archaeological sites.
• ICRZ-II, substantially built-up urban or legally authorised urban areas with infrastructure.
• ICRZ-III, relatively undisturbed or rural areas outside ICRZ-II.
• ICRZ-IV, water and seabed areas, including waters extending up to 12 nautical miles.

Mangrove areas exceeding 1,000 square metres require a 20 metre buffer.

Development controls

For ICRZ-III, the No Development Zone is 100 metres from the High Tide Line for Group I and 50 metres for Group II. Reduced limits of 50 metres and 20 metres respectively may apply to ecotourism, provided the Andaman and Nicobar Administration fully protects fishing community interests.

Generally prohibited activities include destroying coral, mining sand in or around coral areas and sensitive habitats, permanent shore protection work seaward of coral, establishing or expanding industries, setting up new fish processing units, obstructing natural seawater flow, and releasing untreated waste or effluent.