Order of the Ministry of Environment and Forests establishing the West Bengal Coastal Zone Management Authority

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS ORDER New Delhi, the 21st July, 2008 S.O. 1757(E) - In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 or 1986) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby constitutes an authority to be known as the West Bengal Coastal Zone Management Authority (hereinafter referred to as the Authority) consisting of the following persons, for a period of three years, with effect from the date of publication of this Order in the Official Gazette, namely : 1. Principal Secretary, Chairman Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata. 2. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Member Department of Forests, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata. 3. Secretary, Member Department of Sundarban Affairs, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata. 4. Member Secretary, Member West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Kolkata. 5. Shri Somnath Bhattacharyya, Member Scientist, Institute of Environmental Studies & Wetland Management. 6. Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Member Director, INCOIS, Hyderabad. 7. Prof. Siddhartha Behura, Member Pro-Vice Chancellor, Jadavpur University. 8. Prof. Subrata Maity, Member Professor in Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, BCKV, Kalyani, West Bengal. 9. Dr. S. P. Sinha Roy, Member Convenor, Arsenic Task Force in West Bengal and Chairman, Fluoride Task Force, Government of West Bengal. 10. Chief Environment Officer, Member-Secretary Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata. II. The Authority shall have the power to take the following measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating and controlling environmental pollution in coastal areas of the State of West Bengal namely: (i) Examination of proposals for changes/ modifications in classification of Coastal Regulation Zone areas and in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) received from the West Bengal State Government and making specific recommendations to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority therefor. (ii) (a) Inquiry into cases of alleged violations of the provisions of the said Act and/or the rules made thereunder, or under any other law for the time being in force which is relatable to the objects of the said Act and, if found necessary in a specific case, issuing directions under section 5 of the said Act insofar as such directions are not inconsistent with any direction issued in that specific case by the National Coastal Zone Management Authority or by the Central Government; (b) Review of cases involving violations of the provisions of the said act and the rules made thereunder, or under any other law which is relatable to the objects of the said Act, and, if found necessary referring such cases, with comments, for review to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority; Provided that the cases under sub-paragraphs (ii) (a) and (ii) (b) of paragraph II may be taken up suo-moto, or on the basis of complaint made by an individual, or a representative body, or an organization. (iii) Filing complaints, under section 19 of the said Act cases of non-compliance of the directions issued by it under sub-paragraph (ii) (a) of paragraph II of this Order. (iv) To take action under section 10 of the said Act to verify the facts concerning the issues arising from sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph II of this Order. III. The Authority shall deal with environmental issues relating to Coastal Regulation Zone which may be referred to it by the West Bengal State Government, the National Coastal Zone Management Authority or the Central Government, IV. The Authority shall identify ecologically sensitive areas in the Coastal Regulation Zone, and formulate area - specific management plans for such identified areas. V. The Authority shall identify coastal areas highly vulnerable to erosion/degradation, and formulate area-specific management plans for such identified areas. VI. The Authority shall identify economically important stretches in the Coastal Regulation Zone and prepare Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans for the same. VII. The Authority shall submit the plans prepared by it under paragraphs IV, V, VI above and modifications thereof to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority for examination and approval. VIII. The Authority shall ensure compliance of all specific conditions that are laid down in the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan of West Bengal. IX. The Authority shall furnish report of its activities at least once in six months to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority. X. The foregoing powers and functions of the Authority shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Central Government. XI. The Authority shall have its headquarters at Calcutta. XII. Any matter specifically not failing within the scope and jurisdiction of the Authority as so constituted shall be dealt with by the statutory authorities concerned. [F.No.12-8/2005-IA-III] Dr. Nalini Bhat, Scientist ‘G’