Question : DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN COASTAL AREAS

(a) whether certain developmental works/activities in coastal areas of the country including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Bhayinder have been affected due to implementation and enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the details of projects received from various States including coastal road project submitted by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai for according environmental clearance and the present status of each of these projects;

(d) whether the said coastal road project received from Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai is still pending for environmental clearance and if so, the details thereof and the reasons for pendency and the time by which the clearance is likely to be accorded; and

(e) the remedial measures taken or being taken by the Government for expeditious environmental clearance for developmental works/activities in the coastal areas of the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR):

(a) & (b) The Ministry of Environment and Forests had issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification in 1991 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for protection and conservation of the coastal environment. After review of the Notification by a Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan and extensive consultations held with various stake holders, including the State Governments and fishermen community, taking into account the objections and suggestions received on the draft Notifications, the CRZ Notification, 2011 for the main land and Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification, 2011 for Lakshadweep as well as Andaman & Nicobar Islands were issued in January, 2011 in supersession of the CRZ Notification, 1991.

The CRZ Notification, 2011 spans the area up to 500 meters from the high tide line on the landward side, the inter-tidal area on the seafront, and the area upto 12 nautical miles from the low tide line on the seaward side. It also covers 100 meters or width of the creek, whichever is less, from the high tide line on the landward side along the tidally influenced water bodies.

The CRZ Notification, 2011 prohibits setting up of new industries and expansion of existing industrial units in CRZ areas. Only activities which require foreshore facilities viz Ports, fishing harbours and pipelines for sea water intake / outfall, transmission lines etc. are permissible within CRZ. CRZ clearance for all the permissible developmental activities within the CRZ area including the CRZ area in the districts of Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira Bhayinder are dealt in accordance with the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011.

(c) & (d) Details of projects received from various States for CRZ clearance are placed at Annexure. No proposal for coastal road from MCGM is pending for grant of clearance. However, a proposal for amendment to the CRZ Notification, 2011 enabling reclamation for the construction of coastal road was received from Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority and the same is under examination.

(e) For expediting the process of grant of environmental clearance, the Ministry has taken various steps which include: (i) regular and longer duration meetings of Expert Appraisal Committees for consideration of projects, (ii) regular monitoring of status of pending projects, (iii) online submission of applications for grant of Environmental Clearances.