WHEREAS, by notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest

Okay, I will analyze the provided government policy text and generate a report in the specified format. **Report: Analysis of 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, specifically focusing on the re-categorization of Great Nicobar Island and updates to CRZ mapping guidelines. The core purpose of the amendment is to reclassify Great Nicobar Island from Group I to Group II and to update the scale and agency responsible for preparing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) maps. This amendment aims to address representations from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and update mapping procedures. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an analysis of the amendment to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, based solely on the information provided in the official notification text. The report aims to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced by this amendment. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019 (S.O. 1242E, dated the 8th March, 2019). * **Core Objective(s) (Inferred):** The original policy declared certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zones and imposed restrictions on industries, operations, and processes within these zones. The objective, generally, is to regulate activities in coastal areas to protect the environment, and balance development with conservation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment appears to be driven by representations from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration regarding the re-categorization of Great Nicobar Island. The National Coastal Zone Management Authority also considered this re-categorization. The rationale is to appropriately classify the island based on its geographical area, moving it from Group I to Group II, and update the mapping procedures to use a consistent scale (1:4000) and identified agency. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the *specific changes* introduced by the amendment: * **Change 1: Island Group Re-categorization:** * **Original Policy (Implied):** The original ICRZ Notification, 2019, had Great Nicobar Island classified within Group I (Islands with geographical areas > 1000 sq. km). * **New Rule:** The amendment substitutes the original clause (ii) in paragraph 1 of the notification. The eight bigger oceanic islands in Andaman and Nicobar ICRZ Islands shall be grouped as follows: * Group I: Islands with geographical areas ≥ 1000 sq. km such as South Andaman, Middle Andaman and North Andaman. * Group II: Islands with geographical areas > 100 sq. km but < 1000 sq. km such as Baratang, Little Andaman, Havelock, Car Nicobar and Great Nicobar. * **Effect of Change:** Great Nicobar Island is now classified under Group II (islands with geographical areas between 100 sq. km and 1000 sq. km). This likely affects the regulations applicable to development and activities on Great Nicobar, as different regulations may apply to Group I and Group II islands. * **Change 2: CRZ Mapping Guidelines:** * **Original Policy (Implied):** The original ICRZ Notification, 2019, had specifications that needed an update for CRZ mapping. * **New Rule:** The amendment substitutes the original subclause (e) in clause (i) of paragraph 8. * e CRZ map in 1:4000 scale, drawn up by any of the agencies identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide its Office Order number J17011892IAIII, dated the 8th August, 2019 using the demarcation of the HTL or LTL, as carried out by NCSCM. * **Effect of Change:** This change specifies that CRZ maps must be drawn at a 1:4000 scale by agencies identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It also mandates using the demarcation of the High Tide Line (HTL) or Low Tide Line (LTL) as carried out by NCSCM. This should lead to more consistent and accurate CRZ mapping. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the directly affected stakeholders include: * The Andaman and Nicobar Administration * Industries and developers operating or planning to operate in the coastal regulation zones of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly on Great Nicobar Island. * The National Coastal Zone Management Authority * Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. * Agencies involved in CRZ mapping (identified by the Ministry). **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the National Coastal Zone Management Authority are the key agencies involved. The NCSCM (National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management) is responsible for HTL/LTL demarcation. * **Timelines/Procedures:** No specific timelines are mentioned in the amendment text itself. However, the amendment references existing rules (Environment Protection Rules, 1986) and the original notification, implying that the existing regulatory framework governs implementation. The date of notification (January 1, 2021) serves as the effective date of these changes. * **Amendment-Specific Implementation:** The primary implementation aspect is that agencies involved in CRZ related activities, especially concerning Great Nicobar Island, must now operate under the updated classification and mapping guidelines. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these changes are: * **Re-categorization of Great Nicobar:** The changes in regulation on Great Nicobar Island due to the reclassification. * **Improved CRZ Mapping:** More consistent and accurate CRZ maps at the 1:4000 scale, leading to better-informed decisions regarding coastal development and conservation. * **Streamlined Regulatory Process:** The update to mapping standards potentially streamlines the regulatory process for projects within the CRZ, providing greater clarity and consistency. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, represents a targeted update to the classification of Great Nicobar Island and CRZ mapping guidelines. The re-categorization of Great Nicobar Island is the main impact and may facilitate developments on the island. The clarified mapping standards and use of the specified scale and agency will likely lead to more consistent and reliable implementation of CRZ regulations. Stakeholders, particularly those operating in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, should familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and understanding of the updated regulatory landscape.

Key Entities Referenced