In a bid to prevent further erosion along India’s coastline due to uncontrolled development, the government has tightened the norms for approving new port projects or expansion of existing ports or harbours.

In an order issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) said new projects in nine states and three union territories along the coastline would be “subjected to Comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment”, based on data from at least three seasons. The EIA would have to be based on actual field measurements and appropriate modelling studies.

Any expansion of existing ports or harbours would be allowed only if it was proved by hydro-dynamic studies that the expansion would not have any significant impact to the shoreline or the ecologically sensitive areas along the stretch, a statement from the ministry said.

In areas that are prone for high erosion, in excess of one metre per year or more, no ports or harbours would be allowed to be built within 10 km on either side of the eco-sensitive region categorised as the coastal regulation zone. However, fishing jetties or embarkation facilities for local communities could be set-up after an EIA.

The latest order is based on a report by the Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM) project directorate in Chennai that was asked by the ministry to identify the coastal stretches in the country that are prone to erosion and are ecologically sensitive. The phase-I report, comprising studies based on existing data, was submitted to the ministry last month.

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