The Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI issued an office Memorandum (OM) dated 21^st August , 2009 in which it was decided to defer consideration of proposals pertaining to development of the ports and its expansion projects received in the Ministry after 31^st July, 2009 and not to accept any new projects seeking enviromental /CRZ clearence till a policy is finalised.

Till such time the Ministry has stipulated the following , for undertaking development with regard to ports and harbour.

Expansion of existing ports and harbours, jetties etc., within their notified port limits shall be undertaken subject to the condition that:-

(i) The hydro-dynamic studies indicate that the expansion activities of the existing port do not have significant impact to the shoreline abutting the project; and

(ii) has no significant impact on the ecologically sensitive areas along stretch.

New projects to be located at the selected sites, shall be subjected to comprehensive environment impact assessment, based on a minimum of 3 seasons data, and Environmental Impact Assesment report prepared based on actual field measurements, appropriate modelling studies etc.

With regard to the hotspots stretches viz. those areas which are prone for high erosion above 1 meter per year (identified by the conceerned Central/State Government agencies), locations identified within 10 km on either side of the eco-sensitive areas categorized as Coastal Regulation Zone -I (i) and water bodies with high bio-diversity, shall not be considered for locating ports and harbours. However, fishing jetties/embarkation facilities for local communities could be set-up with Environmental Impact Assessment as per Environment Impact Assessment, 2006.

With regard to Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands the port and Harbour projects shall be undertaken in accordance with coastal regulation zoe notification , 1991 and approved Coastal Zone Management Plans.The port projects of more than 5 million tones per annum in these Islands which are to be located in these Islands, shall be subjected to comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment including physical and mathematical modelling and ground verification.

For more details: http://www.envfor.nic.in