The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) on Friday announced the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, as part of which the no development zone has been reduced from 200 metre from the high-tide line to 100 metres to meet increased demands of housing of fishing and other traditional coastal communities. Also, water area upto 12 nautical miles in the sea and the entire water area of a tidal water body such as creek, river and estuary would now be included in the CRZ areas, without imposing any restrictions of fishing activities.
Further, the new notification has stipulated clear procedures for obtaining CRZ approval with time-lines along with post-clearance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. ?The concept of a hazard line to be demarcated over the next five years has been introduced to protect life and property of local communities and infrastructure along coastal areas,? the notification adds.
?I wish to state categorically that, barring cases of fishermen families, violations of CRZ Notification, 1991, will not be condoned or regularised with CRZ Notification, 2011, coming into force,? said environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
It has special provisions for Goa, Kerala, Greater Mumbai and critically vulnerable coastal areas (CVCAs) like Sunderban Mangrove Area, Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kutchh, East Godavari and Krishna Delta and Gulf of Mannar, among others.
The ministry has setup an expert committee headed by MS Swaminathan which had recommended to enact a law to protect the traditional rights and interests of fishermen and coastal communities. This law would be somewhat along the lines of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Also, fishermen associations have urged the government that instead of having a Notification under Environment Protection Act, 1986, there should be a coastal zone regulation law.
?A notification does provide considerable flexibility to the executive but I do acknowledge and appreciate that a law passed by Parliament will enhance public confidence and trust that amendments are introduced after adequate debate and discussion. I have reassured the fishermen associations that I am personally in favour of such a move and that I will attempt to take it forward,? added Ramesh.
Also, for the first time, an Island Protection Zone Notification, 2011 is being notified and published covering Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
