Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Act - Summary

An act to make provision for survey of the coastal zone and the preparation of the coastal zone management plan to regulate and control development activities within the coastal zone, to make provision for the formulation and executing of the schemes of work for coast conservation and coastal resource management with in the coastal zone; to make consequential amendment to certain written laws and to provide for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.

Coastal Zone :

Coastal zone is 300 m from the High tidal line to land and 1 km towards sea.

Under the is act the Coastal Conservation Department was established. duties  and functions of the director general of this department is described below;

• for the administration and the implementation of the provisions of the act.
• for the formulation and executing of schemes of work flow coast conservation and coastal resource management within the coastal zone.
• for the coordination of the activities of other departments institutions and agencies in connecting with activities being carried out within the coastal zone
• for the preparation and implementation of the coastal zone management plan prepared under section 12
• for the dissemination of the information on coast conservation and coastal resource management to the public and to other departments, agencies and institutions and where necessary to tender advice and guidance.
• for the contact of the research and collaboration with other departments agencies and institutions for the purpose of ensuring effective coast conservation and coastal resource management.
• for the implementation of the coast conservation and coastal resource management programmes specify in the national fisheries policy.

Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Advisory Council was established under this act with respective Secretaries of ministries and director general of departments (refer Part 1 section 06). Key functions of the councils.

1. advise the minister on all development activities proposed to be commenced in the coastal zone
2. review for the coastal zone management plan prepared in accordance with the provision of part II of this act and furnish recommendations, if any there on to the director general
3. review the EIA furnished to the DG in connections with applications for permits under section 14 and make comments. if any thereon DG.

The act is expected from DG, Survey of the resources with in the coastal zone and Coastal zone and coastal resource management plan based on the survey.  The plan should consists the proposals of land use, transport facilities, Preservation and management of the scenic and other natural resources, recreation and tourism, availability of coastal resources, coastal water quality etc.

Issuing the Permits:

the provision any other law no persons shall engage in any development activity other than prescribed development activity within the coastal zone except under the authority of the permit issued in the behalf by the DG.

the minister may “having regard to the effect of those development activities on the long term stability, productivity and environmental qualities of the coastal zone, prescribed the categories of the development activity which may be engaged in with the coastal zone without the permit issued under sub section.

In this act requires EIA or Initial Environmental report from the applicant to get the permit for development project within the coastal area zone.