CHAPTER 17 • Sustainable Developmental Planning in Ecologically Sensitive Dahanu Region
321
ciple, conservation of natural resources, and environmental protection. These is thus
adequate reason to take resource to the Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for ensuring effective management of ecologically fragile areas in
the country.
Authority for management of ecologically fragile areas as per the composition delineated above, with mandate for coordination and implementation of all activities of
planning, development, allocation, implementation, research and monitoring in ecologically fragile areas needs to be established to operationalize the precautionary principal in sustainable development. The mandate of the authority needs to include the
following:
• To identify ecologically fragile regions and buffer zones in the country, and to delineate and implement appropriate regulations;
• To deploy ecological units as the basis for regional planning in ecologically fragile
areas;
• To delineate guidelines for regional planning in ecologically fragile areas;
• To ensure preparation of medium and long term regional and master plans, and their
implementation through existing institutions;
• To examine, review and effect modifications in any project/plan/policy envisaged
by the Government of India/State Governments/Local Self Governments that has
adverse bearing on ecological fragility of the region;
• Monitoring of ecology and environmental media quality for effecting corrective
measures;
• Capacity building in existing institutions of management of ecologically fragile regions;
• To ensure community participation in the management of natural resources and
protection of ecology.