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3.4.11 Land Reclamation
The Notification [para 2(viii)] prohibits land reclamation in the coastal area except for
expansion of port and harbours. The Committee is of the opinion that this prohibition is
necessary since reclamation causes ecological and geomorphological changes, which can
have adverse impact on other areas. Reclamation can be permitted only in places such as
within special economic zones, port and harbours, defence units, for construction of bridges,
sea links after detailed EIA studies.
3.4.12 Storage of Chemicals and Petroleum Products
The notification [para 2(ii)] permits storage of 14 petrole um products and food grains,
edible oil etc. The notification is silent about several other materials and chemicals, which are
handled all over the world such as iron ore, coal, sulphur including variety of chemicals and
products. The Committee is of the opinion that within a port and harbours all handling and
storage facilities should be governed by the Ports Act. The Ministry may draw up specific
guidelines for handling and storing of the chemicals and other commodities within such port
and harbours area including EIA procedures.
3.4.13 Discharge of Effluents
The notification [para 2(v) and (vi) and (viii)] prohibits discharge of untreated
effluents from industries and cities, dumping of solid waste including fly ash. As per the
information provided by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) it is observed that most of
the cities/settlements are letting out their sewage without any treatment into the coastal
waters. The upstream rivers are also bringing along large quantities of effluents from the
settlements and industrial units into the estuary and then to the coastal waters. The Ministry
had done very little to overcome this problem. In view of this, the Ministry should take
adequate measures to regulate such pollution in a time bound manner.
3.4.14 Transportation Systems
The notification prohibits construction of roads those not approved in the Coastal
Zone Management Plans, airstrips, railway lines etc., in the Coastal Regulation Zone area.
Airstrips have been permitted only in Lakshadweep and Andamans. This provision needs to
be reconsidered in view of the growing economic activity of the ports, which need
connectivity to the major cities. The Committee is of the opinion that the roads and airstrips
may not be laid in eco-sensitive areas. Roads along the coasta l stretches for the purpose of
decongestion of cities, industrial towns etc. may be approved after proper EIA studies are
carried out.
3.4.15 Agriculture Activities
Agriculture, horticulture activities etc., are permissible under the notification except
in eco-sensitive areas. The Committee agrees with this provision. The Committee is also of
the opinion that the Ministry should map such agriculture and horticulture areas and prevent
change of land use of such areas for the purpose of safeguarding the livelihood security of the
local communities.
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