The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has recently approved changes in laws governing coastal zones. These changes allow for the possibility of constructing gas-powered plants in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. This decision comes as part of the Island Coastal Zone Regulation (ICRZ), 2019, which applies certain restrictions to infrastructure development on vulnerable coastal stretches.
The Key Points of the Regulation Change
The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) has recommended that gas-based power plants be allowed in the Island Coastal Regulation Zone area only on islands with geographical areas larger than 100 sq. km. A plant that can operate on both diesel and LNG is anticipated to be commissioned soon.
This regulatory change has sparked increased interest in developing the Andaman region, mainly due to a policy push by the NITI Aayog. A proposed project aims to develop the Greater Andaman region, including major infrastructural improvements such as a massive airport complex and a state-of-the-art mass rapid transport system.
Understanding ICRZ 2019
The ICRZ 2019 was established when the Central Government declared certain coastal stretches as a Coastal Regulation Zone, limiting the setup and expansion of industries and operations within these zones. The government has received requests from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration asking to re-categorize Great Nicobar Island under the ICRZ notification.
Classification of Islands
Islands are divided into two groups under the provisions of the ICRZ. Group-I comprises islands with a geographical area greater than 1000 sq.km, including South Andaman, Middle Andaman, North Andaman, and Great Nicobar. Group-II consists of islands with geographical areas greater than 100 sq.km but less than 1000 sq.km, such as Baratang, Little Andaman, Havelock, and Car Nicobar.
Defining Coastal Regulation Zone
The definition of a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) was introduced in 1991 to protect coastal regions from environmental degradation. The area of influence includes seas, bays, creeks, rivers, and backwaters affected by tides up to 500 m from the high tide line and the land between the low tide line and the high tide line. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate change declared these zones under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Located in the Indian Ocean, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a union territory of India, separated by the 10° N parallel into the Andaman Islands to the north and the Nicobar Islands to the south. The capital of these islands is Port Blair. Hindi and English are the official languages, but Bengali is the most widely spoken language. Indigenous tribes known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) inhabit the islands.
Previous Year UPSC Questions
For those preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, understanding the ecosystem and demography of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is crucial. Past year questions related to this region have focused on the local flora, geographical separation, and the indigenous populations residing on these islands.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024