The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMPs) of 10 coastal districts of Kerala
About Kerala’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP)
- Kerala’s 10 coastal districts: Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.
- Alignment with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019: The plan aligns with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, which permits:
- the coastal districts to take advantage of the relaxed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules and initiate development activities including construction of buildings towards the seaward side.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes
About Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)
About Coastal Zones:
- It is a transition area between marine and territorial zones.
- It includes shore ecosystems, wetland ecosystems, mangrove ecosystems, mudflat ecosystems, seagrass ecosystems, salt marsh ecosystems and seaweed ecosystems.
|
- Definition: A Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is an area along the coast designated for specific regulations to protect and manage coastal environments.
- These zones were first introduced in India in 1991 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- High Tide Line: HTL means the line on the land up to which the highest water line reaches during the spring tide.
- Low Tide Line: Similarly, it means the line on the land up to which the lowest water line reaches during the spring tide.
|
Key Features of Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)
- Purpose: CRZ regulations aim to conserve coastal ecosystems, protect livelihoods of communities dependent on coastal resources, and ensure sustainable development by limiting harmful activities.
- Zonal Division: Coastal areas are divided into categories based on their ecological sensitivity, development status, and population density.
- Each zone has different rules on what activities can and cannot take place.
- No Development Zones (NDZs): Certain distances from the High Tide Line (HTL) in each zone are designated as NDZs where construction and industrial activities are restricted to prevent damage to the coast.
- Scope: CRZ consists of coastal land up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100 metres along the banks of creeks, estuaries, backwater and rivers where tidal fluctuations occur.
- Roles and Responsibilities in CRZ Implementation: While the Union Ministry of Environment makes CRZ Rules, state governments are responsible for ensuring their implementation through their respective Coastal Zone Management Authorities.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes
Significance of Coastal Regulation Zones:
- Environmental Protection: CRZ regulations aim to conserve coastal ecosystems, including beaches, mangroves, and coral reefs, which are crucial for biodiversity and ecological balance.
- Disaster Risk Reduction: By regulating construction and development in vulnerable coastal areas, CRZ helps minimise risks from natural disasters like tsunamis, cyclones, and rising sea levels.
- Habitat Conservation: Protects critical habitats for various marine and terrestrial species, contributing to the preservation of flora and fauna that rely on coastal ecosystems.
- Community Livelihoods: Supports the livelihoods of local communities dependent on fishing, tourism, and other coastal activities by maintaining healthy ecosystems that provide essential resources.
- Regulatory Framework: Establishes a clear legal and regulatory framework for coastal development, guiding land-use planning and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
- Promotion of Tourism: Encourages eco-friendly tourism by protecting natural beauty and promoting responsible tourism practices, which can enhance local economies without harming the environment.
- Climate Change Mitigation: By conserving coastal areas and ecosystems, CRZ contributes to carbon sequestration and helps mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable coastal regions.
About Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan: (ICZM)
- Definition: ICZM is a planning and coordinating process which deals with development management and coastal resources and which is focused on the land/water interface.
- Benefits of ICZM: Facilitating sustainable economic growth based on natural resources
- Conserving natural habitats and species
- Controlling pollution and the alteration of shorelands and beachfronts
- Controlling watershed activities that adversely affect coastal zones
- Controlling excavation, mining and other alteration of coral reefs, water basins, and sea floors
- Rehabilitating degraded resources
- Providing a mechanism and tools for rational resource allocation
|
Latest CZMP Notification: Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019
- The Government of India issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification in 2019 to protect coastal ecosystems, secure livelihoods for coastal communities, and promote sustainable development.
- Designation of CRZ: It designates the coastal stretches and territorial waters of the country, excluding the Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep islands, as CRZ.
- CRZ Categories
- CRZ-IA: Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).
- CRZ-IB: Intertidal Zone.
- CRZ-II: Developed Land Areas within municipal or urban limits.
- CRZ-IIIA: Undeveloped rural areas with a population density above 2,161 per sq km (2011 Census); the first 50 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) is a No Development Zone (NDZ).
Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes
Shailesh Nayak Committee Report, 2015:
- The Sailesh Nayak committee report was commissioned in June 2014 after states expressed dissatisfaction regarding the limitations set by the CRZ notification of 2011.
- It was established to review and suggest amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone regulations in India.
- The report was submitted in January 2015.
- Rationalisation of No Development Zones (NDZ): Recommendations included a reassessment of NDZs, suggesting reductions in certain areas to facilitate development while maintaining environmental safeguards.
- Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP): The report recommended the preparation and implementation of Coastal Zone Management Plans by state governments.
- Ecosystem-Based Management: The report called for an ecosystem-based approach to coastal management, considering the interconnectedness of coastal and marine ecosystems and their contributions to livelihoods and biodiversity.
- Limited Central Government Role: The central government’s role in coastal areas be limited to environmental clearances and regulating environmentally-sensitive areas.
|
- CRZ-IIIB: Undeveloped rural areas with a population density below 2,161 per sq km; the first 200 metres from the HTL is a No Development Zone (NDZ).
- CRZ-IVA: Water and seabed area from the Low Tide Line (LTL) extending up to 12 nautical miles seaward.
- CRZ-IVB: Water and bed areas between tidal banks up to the point where salinity reaches five parts per thousand during the driest season.
- For Mangroves:
- Limited Protection: The 2019 notification has limited the legal protection of government holdings of an extent over 1,000 sq. metre to 50-metre buffer zones.
- No Mandatory Buffers for Private Lands: The requirement for a buffer zone around mangroves on private land has been removed.
- These changes could expose mangroves to more exploitation.
Need of New Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for Kerala
- Extensive Coastline: Kerala’s coastline stretches approximately 590 km along the Arabian Sea.
- High Coastal Population Density: The 2011 Census shows Kerala has a population density of 859 persons per sq. km, more than double the national average of 382.
- Significant Coastal Zone Coverage: Nine out of Kerala’s 14 districts are located along the coast, with an estimated five corporations, 36 municipalities, and 245 grama panchayats falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) across 10 coastal districts.
- Intense Land Pressure: Coastal Kerala experiences higher population density compared to other parts of the state, resulting in significant strain on coastal land resources.
- Rampant CRZ Rule Violations: Due to high demographic demand, Kerala’s coast has seen widespread violations of CRZ regulations. This includes:
- Illegal Land Modifications: Thousands of instances of unauthorised land modifications, such as the reclamation of wetlands.
- Unauthorised Constructions: Hundreds of illegal constructions along the coast that disregard CRZ restrictions.
Implementation Process of Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) in Kerala
- Availability of Approved CZMPs: The Kerala government must publish signed CZMP copies for all 10 districts on the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority’s website within one month.
- Application of CRZ Notification, 2019: Applications for CRZ clearance will now follow the CRZ 2019 guidelines, aimed at protecting coastal and marine environments while supporting sustainable development for local communities.
Significance of New Coastal Regulation Zones for Kerala
- Reduction in No Development Zones (NDZs): The NDZ in the CRZ areas of Kerala will be reduced to half.
- It will be 108.397 sq. km against the earlier 239.431 sq. km, as fixed by the CRZ 2011 notification.
- The NDZ around tidal-influenced water bodies is reduced from 100 metres to 50 meters, particularly in densely populated rural areas, allowing for more construction opportunities.
- However, reduced NDZs could lead to environmental degradation, including habitat loss for coastal and marine species, increased pollution, and disruption of ecosystems, particularly in sensitive areas.
- Direct Benefits to Local Population: The approval of the CZMP is estimated to directly benefit around 10 lakh people by relaxing earlier construction restrictions, allowing for new housing and the repair of existing homes.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes
November 4, 2024
