S.O. 2(E), Amendment to the ICRZ Notification, 2019
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued notification S.O. 2(E) on 1 January 2021 to amend the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. It reclassifies Great Nicobar as a Group II island and changes the requirement for preparing Coastal Regulation Zone maps for the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The notification concerns island coastal regulation in Andaman and Nicobar and does not make a stated change to coastal land regulation in Tamil Nadu.
What the notification does
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued notification S.O. 2(E) on 1 January 2021 as an amendment to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. The original notification had declared certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zones and restricted the establishment and expansion of industries, operations and processes within those zones.
The amendment follows representations from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration seeking the reclassification of Great Nicobar Island from Group I to Group II. The National Coastal Zone Management Authority had also decided that the proposed reclassification needed consideration at its meeting held on 4 November 2020.
Island classifications
Notification S.O. 2(E) replaces the classification provision for the eight bigger oceanic islands in Andaman and Nicobar.
- Group I covers islands with geographical areas greater than 1,000 square kilometres. The listed examples are South Andaman, Middle Andaman and North Andaman.
- Group II covers islands with geographical areas greater than 100 square kilometres but less than 1,000 square kilometres. The listed islands are Baratang, Little Andaman, Havelock, Car Nicobar and Great Nicobar.
- Great Nicobar is therefore placed in Group II under the amended classification.
Coastal Regulation Zone mapping requirement
Notification S.O. 2(E) also replaces a mapping provision in the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. It requires:
- a Coastal Regulation Zone map at a scale of 1:4000;
- preparation by any agency identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through Office Order number J-17011/8/92-IAIII, dated 8 August 2019; and
- use of the HTL or LTL demarcation carried out by NCSCM.
Who is affected
Notification S.O. 2(E) is relevant to landowners, developers, industries, authorities and professionals dealing with regulated coastal stretches in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, particularly Great Nicobar. The text does not amend classifications or mapping requirements for coastal land in Tamil Nadu, so it does not state any direct change for Tamil Nadu property.
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 notification S.O. 2(E) change Coastal Regulation Zone rules for property in Tamil Nadu?
No direct Tamil Nadu change is stated. The amendments concern the classification and Coastal Regulation Zone mapping of islands in Andaman and Nicobar.
How is Great Nicobar classified under the amendment?
Great Nicobar is listed in Group II, which covers islands with geographical areas greater than 100 square kilometres but less than 1,000 square kilometres.
What map is required under the amended provision?
A Coastal Regulation Zone map must be prepared at a scale of 1:4000 by an agency identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, using the HTL or LTL demarcation carried out by NCSCM.
Why was Great Nicobar reclassified?
The Central Government received representations from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration seeking its reclassification. The National Coastal Zone Management Authority also decided that the matter needed consideration.
