The notification came under criticism from the state government, scientists and environment experts alike at a panel discussion in Kolkata today.

According to Somnath Bhattacharya, scientist, Institute of

Environmental Studies and Wetland Management: “No technique has been discussed about how to draw the setback line — the distance from the shore or other established line within which no construction is allowed.

“Rise in the sea level is not same everywhere and a single formula cannot be relevant for the entire country. Let the Centre come up with a universally acceptable plan and a correct methodology for demarcating a setbackline,” said Sugata Hazra, Director, School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University.

ML Meena, principal secretary, Environment department, said: “It has been proposed that there will be a setbackline based on certain scientific criteria as detailed in the draft notification. As per the notification, setbackline will demarcate the vulnerability of the coast. We have to be judicious since once we declare an area as ‘vulnerable’, it will be difficult to carry out any activity or attract funding in those areas.”

The apprehensions of the experts are based on the fact that the setback line will be demarcated much inside the state’s coast as it has a gentle slope. Thus, no activity could be undertaken along the Hooghly, including places like Haldia, Kukrahati and Kulpi.

The project had earlier been slotted in the Coastal Regulation Zone 1, which prevented the state government from undertaking any industrial construction at the site. The government had sought relaxations from the Centre to allow it to go ahead with the project. However, with the new notification in effect, it is likely that Nayachar could be scheduled in CMZ 1 and designated as ecologically sensitive areas.

The only way out for the state government will be to fast track the setting up of the chemical hub at the project site before the implementation of the new notification gets underway.

The Centre had issued the draft CMZ notification, 2008, on May 1 this year. It has also asked for feedback on the notification within 60 days —- latest by June 30. The final notification will be issued next year and it will take another two years when the new notification will come into force.

“Until then the existing CRZ regulations will prevail,” said KP Nyati, Head of Environment Policy Division of Confederation of Indian Industry. Experts interpret that if the state government decides to move forward with their plans they have to complete all the formalities before the final notification is enforced around 2011.

“The state government has sought relaxations under the present notification. If that comes through, it can go ahead with the plan to set up a processing zone at Nayachar which is a part of the Petrochemical Chemical Petroleum Investment Region,” a scientist said.