## Report on Amendment to Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, as published in the Gazette of India on November 18, 2021. The amendment introduces a provision allowing the setting up of Gas-based power plants in islands with geographical areas exceeding 100 sq. km within the ICRZ area. This change aims to address the energy requirements of island communities while reducing reliance on conventional Diesel Generator (DG) sets. The key finding is that this amendment provides a specific exception to existing restrictions within the ICRZ, targeting islands of a certain size to enable gas-based power generation.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview and analysis of an amendment to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, based solely on the information provided in the Government of India Gazette notification dated November 18, 2021. The purpose is to inform affected industry about the changes and their potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy:** This amendment modifies the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, specifically S.O. 1242(E), dated the 8th March, 2019.
* **Core Objective(s) (as inferred from the text related to the amendment):** While the original ICRZ Notification aims to regulate activities in coastal zones, this specific amendment is driven by the objective of fulfilling the energy needs of island communities by allowing a less polluting energy source (gas) as an alternative to diesel generators within certain ICRZ areas. This signals a balancing act between environmental protection and developmental needs.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment addresses a need to provide a provision in the ICRZ notifications to meet the energy requirement of the islanders. The original ICRZ Notification imposed restrictions on setting up industries and processes in the Coastal Regulation Zone. The amendment stems from a proposal by the Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority (ANCZMA) and a recommendation by the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) to allow Gas-based power plants within the ICRZ area under certain conditions. The rationale is to reduce dependency on highly polluting diesel generator (DG) sets, which are currently a primary source of power in many island regions. The NCZMA felt the inclusion of gas-based power plants addresses this dependency while also protecting the environment.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This section details the *specific changes* introduced by the amendment:
* **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies paragraph 4, in clause V (ICRZ-III), in Sub-Clause (c), adding a new paragraph after para (v).
* **New Rule/Provision:** The newly inserted clause (vi) permits the "Setting up of Gas based power plant in islands with geographical areas ≥ 100 sq.km."
* **Difference/Effect of the Change:** The original ICRZ Notification likely restricted the establishment of power plants in the ICRZ-III zone. This amendment creates a specific *exception* to that restriction, allowing Gas-based power plants, but *only* on islands with a geographical area of 100 square kilometers or greater. The effect is to selectively open the ICRZ-III zone to gas-based power generation in larger islands, potentially encouraging investment in and deployment of this technology as an alternative to more polluting sources.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience includes:
* Energy companies interested in establishing gas-based power plants.
* The residents and industries on islands with areas greater than or equal to 100 sq. km who will benefit from a potentially more reliable and cleaner energy source.
* The Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority (ANCZMA).
* The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA).
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is ultimately responsible for implementing and enforcing this amendment. The Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority (ANCZMA) and the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) appear to play a key role in recommending and overseeing the implementation of the amendment.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification states that the Central Government considered objections or suggestions on the proposals contained in the draft notification within a period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing this notification are made available to the public. No further timelines or specific procedures related *specifically to the implementation of the new amendment* are detailed in the provided text. This implies that existing procedures under the original ICRZ notification and the Environment Protection Act, 1986 would likely apply.
* **Amendment-Specific Implementation:** Implementation related specifically to the gas power plant exception would likely involve: 1) Verification of the island's area (≥ 100 sq. km). 2) Assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed gas-based power plant. 3) Ensuring compliance with other applicable environmental regulations.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of this amendment is likely to:
* Reduce reliance on diesel generators on larger islands, potentially leading to lower emissions and improved air quality.
* Encourage investment in gas-based power generation on these islands, supporting energy security and economic development.
* Provide a framework for balancing energy needs with environmental protection in island regions.
The potential impact of the amendment is that:
* It might incentivize the use of natural gas, reducing the carbon footprint of the islands.
* However, there are potential impacts to consider. The amendment is limited only to islands 100 sq. km. or greater, leading to environmental inequities.
* It also opens the door for further development in the ICRZ-III zone that could have environmental impacts.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, introduces a specific exception allowing Gas-based power plants on islands with a geographical area of 100 sq. km or greater. This change addresses the energy needs of island communities while aiming to reduce dependence on more polluting diesel generators. The amendment represents a targeted adjustment to the ICRZ regulations, balancing environmental protection with developmental considerations. It provides a pathway for cleaner energy solutions in specific island contexts, with potential benefits for both the environment and the local economy. Industry and policy makers should carefully consider impacts before implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: A key environmental law in India providing a framework for environmental protection and regulation.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules formulated under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, outlining procedures and standards for environmental protection.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection, conservation, and climate change related policies.
New Delhi: The capital city of India, and the location of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Island Coastal Regulation Zone ICRZ Notification, 2019: A notification concerning the regulation of activities in coastal zones of islands, including restrictions on industries and processes.
Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority ANCZMA: The authority responsible for managing the coastal zones of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which proposed the inclusion of Gas based power plant within the ICRZ area.
National Coastal Zone Management Authority NCZMA: A national authority involved in coastal zone management, which held a meeting to discuss energy requirements in islands and the use of gas-based power plants.
Gas based power plant: A power generation facility that uses gas as a fuel source, proposed for inclusion within the ICRZ area in certain islands.
Conventional Diesel Generator DG sets: Traditional diesel-powered generators, which are considered highly polluting sources of energy, dependency on which the notification aims to reduce.
Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi: The address of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee: Joint Secretary of the ministry.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-18112021-231247
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CG-DL-E-18112021-231247
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 4422] नई ददल्ली, बृ स्ट्प जतवार, नवम्ब र 18, 2021/कार्वतक 27, 1943
No. 4422] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021/KARTIKA 27, 1943
पयाावरण, वन और िलवाय ुपररवतना मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई ददल् ली, 18 नवम् बर, 2021
का.आ. 4789(अ).—जनम्न जलजखत प्राूपप अजधसूचना, जिसे केंद्रीय सरकार पयाावरण, (संरक्षण) अजधजनयम,
1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उप-धारा (2) के खण् ड (v) और खडं (xiv) तथा उप-धारा (3) के साथ परित
उप-धारा (1) द्वारा प्रदत् त िजतियय का प्रयगग करत े ुएए िारी करन े का प्रस्ट् ताव करती , एतद्द्वारा पयाावरण (संरक्षण)
जनयम, 1986 के जनयम 5 के उप-जनयम 3 के त त यथापजे क्षत उससे संभाजवत ूपप स े प्रभाजवत गने वाल े लगग के
सूचनाथा प्रकाजित की िाती ; और एतद्द्वारा य नगरिस ददया िाता दक उक्त प्राूपप अजधसूचना पर इस अजधसूचना कग
अंतर्ववष्ि करने वाल े रािपत्र की प्रजतयां िनता कग उपलब ध कराने की तारीख से साि ददन की अवजध समाप् त गने पर
अथवा उसके पश् चात जवचार दकया िाएगा;
प्राूपप अजधसूचना में अंतर्ववष्ि प्रस्ट् ताव पर आपजायां अथवा सुवाव प्रस्ट् तुत करने का इ ुक कगई भी यजतिय
अपनी आपजायां अथवा सुवाव जलजखत ूपप म ें इस प्रकार जवजनर्ददष्ि अवजध के भीतर केंद्र सरकार के जवचाराथा सजचव,
पयाावरण, वन और िलवायु पररवतान मंत्रालय, इंददरा पयाावरण भवन, िगर बाग रगड, अलीगंि, नई ददल्ल ी-110003 के
पते पर अग्रेजित कर सकता , अथवा मंत्रालय के ई-मेल पते h.kharkwal@nic.in तथा saranya.p@gov.in पर
प्रेजित कर सकता ।
प्राूपप अजधसचू ना
पयाावरण, वन और िलवायु पररवतान मंत्रालय में भारत सरकार की अजधसूचना संख् या का.आ. 1242(अ),
तारीख 8 माच,ा 2019 [इसमें इसके पश् चात द्वीप तिीय जवजनयमन क्षेत्र (आईसीआरिेड) अजधसूचना, 2019 के ूपप म ें
6688 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
उजल्लजखत] द्वारा केंद्रीय सरकार न े कु तिीय क्षेत्र कग तिीय जवजनयमन क्षेत्र के ूपप म ें घगजित दकया था और उक्त क्षेत्र म ें
उद्यगग की स्ट् थापना और जवस्ट् तार, संचालन और प्रदियाओं पर जनबंधन अजधरगजपत दकए गए थ;े
और; केंद्रीय सरकार कग अण् डमान और जनकगबार तिीय क्षेत्र प्रबंधन प्राजधकरण (एएनसीिेडएमए) स े
आईसीआरिडे अजधसूचना, 2019 के उपबंध के त त आईसीआरिेड क्षेत्र के भीतर गस -आधाररत जवद्युत संयंत्र कग
िाजमल करने से संबंजधत प्रस्ट्त ाव प्राप् त ुएआ ;
और, राष्र ीय तिीय क्षेत्र प्रबंधन प्राजधकरण (एनसीिेडएमए) ने ददनांक 16 अगस्ट् त, 2021 कग आयगजित अपनी
43वीं ब िक में य म सूस दकया दक अत्य जधक प्रदिू णकारी ्गत नामत: परंपरागत डीिल िनरेिर (डीिी सेि ) पर
जनभारता में कमी लाते ुएए द्वीप जनवाजसय की ऊिाा की आवश् यकता कग पूरा करने ते ु आईपीिेड/आईसीआरिेड
अजधसूचनाओं म ेंएक समथाक उपबंध का प्रावधान करन े की आवश् यकता ;
और, उजचत जवचार-जवमिा के पश् चात एनसीिेडएमए ने जसराररि की दक केवल 100 वगा दक.मी. से अजधक
भौगगजलक क्षेत्ररल वाल े द्वीप में आईसीआरिेड क्षेत्र के भीतर ग स आधाररत जवद्युत संयंत्र कग िाजमल करने पर जवचार
करने की आवश् यकता ;
अत: अब, पयाावरण (संरक्षण) जनयम, 1986 के जनयम 5 के उप-जनयम 3 के खंड (घ) के साथ परित पयाावरण
(संरक्षण) अजधजनयम, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उप-धारा (1) और उप-धारा (2) के खंड (v) द्वारा प्रदत् त
िजतियय का प्रयगग करत े ुएए, केंद्रीय सरकार एतद्द्वारा द्वीप तिीय जवजनयमन क्षेत्र (आईसीआरिेड) अजधसूचना, 2019 में
जनम्न जलजखत और संिगधन करती , अथाात: -
उक्त अजधसूचना म,ें अनु ेद 4 म,ें खंड (V) आईसीआरिेड-III म,ें प रा (v) के पश् चात उप-खंड (ग) म ें
जनम्न जलजखत खंड अतं र्ववष्ि दकया िाएगा अथाात :-
(vi) 100 वगा दक.मी. से अजधक भौगगजलक क्षेत्ररल वाल ेद्वीप में ग स आधाररत जवद्युत संयंत्र की स्ट्थ ापना करना
[रा. सं. 12-12/2018-आईए III]
डॉ. सुिीत कुमार बािपेयी, संयुक् त सजचव
रिप्प ण : मूल अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उप-खंड (ii) में संख्य ा का.आ. 1242(अ), तारीख
8 माच,ा 2019 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी और तत्प श् चात जनम्न ानुसार संिगजधत की गई:
1. का.आ. 2(अ), तारीख 1 िनवरी, 2021; और
2. का.आ. 2239(अ), तारीख 9 िनू , 2021 ।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 18th November, 2021
S.O. 4789(E).—The following draft of the notification, which the Central Government proposes to
issue in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), read with clause (v) and clause (xiv) of sub-
section (2) and sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) is
hereby published, as required under sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, for
the information of the public likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft
notification shall be taken into consideration on or after the expiry of a period of sixty days from the date
on which copies of the Gazette containing this notification are made available to the public;
Any person interested in making any objections or suggestions on the proposals contained in the
draft notification may forward the same in writing, for consideration of the Central Government within the
period so specified to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira
Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110 003, or send it to the e-mail address of the
Ministry at h.kharkwal@nic.in and saranya.p@gov.in;[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
Draft Notification
WHEREAS by notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change number S.O. 1242(E), dated the 8th March, 2019 [hereinafter referred to as the Island
Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019], the Central Government declared certain coastal
stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone and restrictions were imposed on the setting up and expansion of
industries, operations and processes in the said zone;
AND WHEREAS, the Central Government have received a proposal from Andaman and Nicobar
Coastal Zone Management Authority (ANCZMA) regarding inclusion of Gas based power plant within the
ICRZ area under the provisions of the ICRZ Notification, 2019;
AND WHEREAS, the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) in its 43rd meeting
held on the 16th August, 2021 has felt that there is a need to provide an enabling provision in the IPZ/ ICRZ
Notifications to meet the energy requirement of the islanders while reducing the dependency on highly
polluting sources viz. conventional Diesel Generator (DG sets).
AND WHEREAS, after due deliberation NCZMA has recommended that the inclusion of Gas
based power plant within ICRZ area only in islands with geographical areas >100 sq.km. needs
consideration;
NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of
sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with clause (d) of
sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes
the following further amendments in the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019,
namely: -
In the said notification, in paragraph 4, in clause (V) ICRZ-III, in Sub-Clause (c) after para (v), the
following clause shall be inserted namely: -
(vi) Setting up of Gas based power plant in islands with geographical areas >100 sq.km.
[F. No. 12-12/2018-IA III]
Dr. SUJIT KUMAR BAJPAYEE, Jt. Secy.
Note : The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3,
Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 1242(E), dated the 8th March, 2019 and subsequently amended
as follows:
1. S.O 2(E), dated the1st January, 2021; and
2. S.O. 2239(E), dated the 9th June, 2021.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.