Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 16 : Integrated Coastal Zone Management

16.3.Indian Laws and Regulations
Apart from the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 there are many legislations /Acts and rules related to coastal activities. The following are the important ones: Indian Fisheries Act, 1897; Indian Ports Act, 1902; Merchant Shipping Act, 1974, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Indian Coast Guards Act, 1974; and Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act 1986; The Petroleum Act, 1934; National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995; Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989. In addition to this, India has signed and ratified several international conventions relating to oceans and related activities. Some of these are related to marine environment and applicable to coastal area also. The important ones are the following: MARPOL 1973/1978; London Dumping Convention, 1972; Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damages (CLC 1969) and its Protocol, 1976; Fund, 1971 and its Protocol, 1979; CITES, Convention on Biodiversity, 1992 includes coastal bio-diversity also.