INDIA: Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

INDIA Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (P007985)
C. Achievement of Development Objectives
6. The Project Development Objectives are to assist GOI in (i) building national capacity for
implementation of comprehensive coastal management approach in the country, and (ii) piloting the
integrated coastal zone management approach in states of Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.
7. Substantial progress has been made with respect to building the national capacity for implementation of
comprehensive coastal management approach in the country. The most notable include the following.
8. Policy and regulatory changes: In January 2011, the CRZ Notification 2011 became formally effective,
and replaced the CRZ Notification 1991. In addition, for the very first time, an Island Protection Zone
Notification, 2011 was notified covering Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands. Both
these new Notifications, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, reconcile three objectives: (i)
protection of livelihood of traditional fisher communities: (ii) preservation of coastal ecology; and (iii)
promotion of economic activities that have necessarily to be located in the coastal regions. These
notifications also provide the legal basis for the “appropriate national institutional structure for guiding
and coordinating implementation of ICZM approaches” – the most important PDO indicator. The public
engagement (more than 100,000 people took active part in the consultations and written submissions,
specifically over last 18 months) and consensus building processes led by the MOEF/SICOM was
comprehensive, well conceived and executed, and should be considered a best practice, especially in light
of the complexities of issues influencing lives of nearly 250 million people.
9. Separately, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, MOEF has enacted the Dandi Eco-Sentive Area
Notification in pursuance of the Project’s focus on conservation of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs),
and enhancement of livelihood of local communities dependent on these ESAs. This notification had been
finalized based on agreements of the 6 village Panchayats, the Government of Gujarat. Discussions on
similar notifications for the Gulf of Kachchh (in Gujarat) and Vedaranyam (in Tamil Nadu) have
progressed substantially; and have been initiated for Vembanad (in Kerala). The MOEF has also
announced policies for moratorium on development on the coastal area which are subject to severe
erosion (based on analytical work described in paragraph 12 below).
10. Augmenting institutional capacity: The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA), and
the State Coastal Zone Management Authorities (SCZMAs) have been reorganized; and formation of
District Level Coastal Zone Management Authorities (DCZMAs) has been initiated. MOEF has mandated
the Society for Integrated Coastal Management or SICOM (which is the national project management
unit) to be responsible on behalf of MOEF, to (i) coordinate all conservation and community livelihood
programs for integrated management of the coastal and marine areas; and (ii) coordinate all program for
conservation and sustainable development of marine biodiversity of the country. The Government of
Odisha has mandated the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Society of Odisha (which is the SPMU) to
be the secretariat of the Odisha SCZMA. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management
(NCSCM) has been established in Chennai; and recruitment of initial batch of about 60 staff is underway.
The NCSCM has been established in partnership with Anna University; and until facilities for the new
NCSCM are ready, the Anna University has agreed to provide all accommodation, buildings and
facilities. SICOM has facilitated, through a declaration signed by all concerned, a tie up of 14 institutes
across the coastal States and Union Territories with NCSCM. NCSCM has already prepared a work
program for the first two years of its operation. Draft Memorandum of understanding, and draft joint
project agreements have been prepared to set up medium term partnership between national
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of USA and NCSCM.
11. Improving knowledge base: SICOM, through the Institute of Ocean management, Anna University,
Chennai has started preparation of shoreline change maps (1972-2010) for the entire country. Wherever
shoreline erosion is severe, MOEF has directed that no new development projects or activities can take
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