—(1) Any person holding a land in the East Kolkata wetlands may apply, in such manner as may be prescribed, to the Authority for change of character or mode of use of the land.

(2)

The Authority shall, on receipt of the application, examine the merit of the case and, if necessary, inspect the proposed site.

(3)

After examination of the case and inspection, if any, of the proposed site under sub-section (2), the Authority shall refer the case to the Collector of the concerned District for taking necessary action for issuance of an order under section 4C of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955 (West Bengal Act No. 10 of 1956).

(4)

On receipt of the order from the Collector of the concerned District, the Authority may pass, in such form and with such restrictions and conditions as may be prescribed, an order granting sanction for change of character or mode of use of the land :

Provided that if the sanction may result in filling up of any water body, the Authority shall, prior to granting sanction under this sub-section, require the person to create at an appropriate place within the East Kolkata wetlands a water body of Which the area shall not be less than the area of the water body which may be so filled up.

(5)

Nothing in this section shall empower the AUthority to grant sanction for change of character or mode of use of a land unless the change is for improvement or upkeep of the local environment and its surroundings.