(a) whether the Environment Protection Act and Coastal Regulation Zone notification have centralised the powers in the hands of the Union Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government plans to delegate the powers for clearance and other purposes to the State Governments or the Regional Empowered Committees; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (d) According to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991, developmental activities required clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India or from the State Authorities based on investment criterion and foreshore facilities etc.
The said notification was superseded by the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, as notified under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, according to which, only certain categories of projects and projects not listed under Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 require clearance from Government of India. All other development or construction activities in different categories of CRZ areas are to be regulated by the concerned State Coastal Zone Management Authorities in accordance with the norms prescribed under the notification.,