Gujarat’s port sector which is contributing in the state and nation’s development highly and having the largest Public Private Partnership(PPP) project in the country is facing the pinch from the Government of India’s new policy.

Highly placed sources in the state government informed that,“the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) had constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. M.S.Swaminathan to review the comments received on the Draft Coastal Management Zone 2008. The Committee in its Report had recommended an immediate study to be undertaken to examine the cumulative impacts of port projects on the coastline, pending which there should be a moratorium on expansion of existing ports and initiation of new projects. Accordingly, the Ministry issued an Office Memorandum (OM) August, 2009 in which it was decided not to accept any new projects Seeking Environmental/ CRZ Clearance after 31st July, 2009 till policy is finalized. “

“To get the idea of impact observed on the shore line with large tracks of coastline being eroded due to number of ports and harbors being developed by various agencies, MoEF assigned study to Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM). The agency has under taken study in to phase. In the phase-I report is prepared based on existing data available with various sources regarding the shoreline changes. Based on this report, Ministry of Environment & Forest office memorandum dated 3.11.2009 has issued new policy on expansion of existing ports and initiation of new ports along the coast line.” Sources added.

Sources further told that,“in this new policy details of sites along the coastal stretches where shoreline changes has been observed is given. For Gujarat 4 districts i.e. Valsad, Navsari, Surat and Bharuach have been designated as high erosion prone areas. Development along these sites will require comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment, based on a minimum of 3 seasons data and Environment Impact Assessment report prepared based on actual field measurements, appropriate modeling study etc. This implies that time required for clearances under CRZ Notification and EIA Notification would be as long as 2 years which is much more than (10 to 11 months) time required for clearance under existing Environment Rules. Due to this policy entire process of port development would slowdown and stand alone port would no more be viable because of the longer gestation period involved.”

As per the ICMAM report, four districts of South Gujarat i.e. Valsad, Navsari, Surat and Bharuach consists of only 45.19 kms. (17% of total coastline of Four districts) of length is vulnerable to erosion. As per the report for specific hotspots comprehensive EIA study with 3 seasons data and hydrodynamic modeling shall be mandatory. On this line Chief Minister, Gujarat State has requested Prime Minister of India to make modification in the new policy announced by the Ministry of Environment & Forest. In this context, Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment & Forest, has given

interim reply in February 2010. He has mentioned that MOEF is in the process of revising the coastal regulation zone notification 1991 and the request of GoG to have only one clearance which should be either under coastal regulation zone notification 1991 or under Environment Impact Assessment Notification-2006 will be considered during revising coastal regulation zone notification 1991. Request made by GoG in this matter is yet not fulfilled, , said the sources.