Freezing of land use

(1) Freezing of landuse pending preparation of existing landuse map under section 15(1)- Wherever the State Government, after the constitution of the planning area under section-13 or the special area under Section-66 but before the publication of the existing landuse map under section-15, is satisfied that in any planning area or part thereof or the Special Area or part thereof as the case may be, the change of the landuse on any building operation therein- (a) is likely to cause injurious disturbance of the surface or any land or soil, or is considered detrimental to the preservation of the soil, prevention of land slip; or protection against erosion; or (b) is likely to make it difficult to plan and develop the area in question in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the State Government may, by notification published in the Official Gazette, freeze the existing landuse, for a period not exceeding "five years." (2) On the issuance of a notification under sub-section (1)- (a) no person shall change, the use of any land or carryout any development of land (other than the change for the purpose of agriculture), without the written permission of the Director; and (b) no local authority or officer or other authority shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, grant permission for the change in use of land without the written permission of the Director. (3) Any permission that the Director may grant under sub-section (2) shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be imposed in this behalf by the State Government.