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

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS ORDER New Delhi, the 21st December, 2009 S.O. 3251(E).― WHEREAS by an Order of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.O 308(E), dated the 10th March, 2006, the Central Government reconstituted the Lakshadweep Coastal Zone Management Authority, for period of three years and the term of the said Authority has been expired; AND WHEREAS, the central Government is of the view that such an Authority should be reconstituted; NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby constitutes an authority to be known as the Lakshadweep 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, namely: 1. Administrator, Union territory of Lakshadweep, Chairman 2. Secretary, Department of Environment and Forests, Union territory of Lakshadweep, Member 3. Deputy Conservator of Forests. Union territory of Lakshadweep, Member 4. Superintending Engineer, Lakshadweep Public Works Department, Member 5. Dr. K.V Thomas, Scientist, Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvanthapuram, Member 6. Dr. M. Wafer, Scientist, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, Member 7. Chief Engineer and Administrator, Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works, Ministry of Surface Transport, Port Blair or his representative, Member 8. Director of Fisheries, Lakshadweep Administration, Member 9. Member-Secretary, Lakshadweep Pollution Control Committee, Member Secretary 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 areas of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, namely: ― (i) examination of proposals for changes or modifications in classification of Coastal Regulation Zone areas and in the Coastal Zone Management Plan received from the Lakshadweep Union territory Administration and making specific recommendations to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority therefore; (ii) (a) inquiry into cases of alleged violation of the provisions of the said Act or the rules made there under or any other law 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 there under 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 clauses (a) and (b) may be taken up suo-motu or on the basis of complaint made by an individual or an representative body or an organization; (iii) filing complaints, under section 19 of the said Act, in cases of non-compliance of the directions issued by it under sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii); (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); Ill. The Authority shall deal with environmental issues relating to Coastal Regulation Zone, which may be referred to it by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, 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 or 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 and VI above and modifications thereof to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority for examination and its approval. VIII. The Authority shall ensure compliance of all specific conditions that are laid down in the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan of Lakshadweep. IX. The Authority shall furnish report of its activities at least once in six months to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority. X. The Authority shall ensure that at least two third members of the Authority are present during the meetings. XI. The foregoing powers and functions of the Authority shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Central Government. XII. The Authority shall have its headquarters at Kavaratti. XIII. Any matter specifically not falling within the scope and jurisdiction of the Authority shall dealt with by the statutory authorities concerned. [F. No. 12-3/2005-IA-III] Dr. Nalini Bhat, Scientist ‘G’