S.O. 2095(E), ICRZ Notification, 2019 Amendment, 2022
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued S.O. 2095(E), dated 5 May 2022, to further amend the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. It adds the setting up of gas based power plants in Island Coastal Regulation Zone III areas on islands with a geographical area of more than 100 square kilometres.
What the notification changes
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notification S.O. 2095(E), dated 5 May 2022, amends the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. The 2019 notification had declared certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zones and restricted the setting up and expansion of industries, operations and processes within those zones.
The amendment inserts a new provision concerning Island Coastal Regulation Zone III. It covers:
- The setting up of gas based power plants.
- Only islands with a geographical area of more than 100 square kilometres.
- Projects located within Island Coastal Regulation Zone areas covered by the inserted provision.
Why the amendment was made
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recorded that the Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority had proposed including gas based power plants within Island Coastal Regulation Zone areas.
The National Coastal Zone Management Authority considered the proposal at its forty-third meeting on 16 August 2021. It found a need for an enabling provision to meet islanders' energy requirements while reducing dependence on conventional diesel generator sets, which the notification describes as highly polluting sources.
The National Coastal Zone Management Authority recommended considering gas based power plants only on islands with geographical areas exceeding 100 square kilometres.
Who may be affected
S.O. 2095(E), dated 5 May 2022, is relevant to developers, landowners, buyers and professionals assessing land or projects in Island Coastal Regulation Zone III areas on qualifying islands. The amendment concerns the permitted regulatory treatment of gas based power plants, rather than all development on coastal land.
The inserted provision does not extend to islands measuring exactly 100 square kilometres or less. The source text does not provide a separate approval process, application procedure, fee or technical conditions for a gas based power plant.
Notification history and consultation
The principal Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 was published as S.O. 1242(E), dated 8 March 2019. It was later amended by S.O. 2239(E), dated 9 June 2021.
A draft of the present amendment was published as S.O. 4789(E), dated 18 November 2021. Objections and suggestions were invited for sixty days, and the Central Government states that all responses received were considered before the final amendment was issued.
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 amendment allow gas based power plants on every island?
No. The inserted provision applies only to islands with a geographical area of more than 100 square kilometres.
Which coastal regulation category does the new provision concern?
The provision is inserted under the part of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 relating to Island Coastal Regulation Zone III.
Why were gas based power plants included?
The notification says the provision is intended to help meet islanders' energy needs while reducing dependence on conventional diesel generator sets, which it describes as highly polluting.
Does the notification specify an application fee or approval procedure?
No application fee or separate approval procedure is stated in the supplied notification. It inserts the setting up of gas based power plants on qualifying islands into the Island Coastal Regulation Zone III provisions.
