Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Malvan, Achra-Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, Vembanad in Kerala, Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, Bhaitarkanika in Orissa and Coringa, East Godavari and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh are the other vulnerable spots.
The new CRZ regulation comes out with an island protection zone notification to cover the pristine islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. In addition, there are special provisions for Goa, Kerala and Greater Mumbai to allow certain types of construction work. The regulation stipulates that any development in the critically vulnerable areas including Karwar and Kundapur has to be carried out in consultation with the local fishermen. The integrated management plans for these vulnerable areas will be made with conservation of mangroves and local public infrastructural needs in mind.
Sea level impact
The impact of sea level rise and other natural disasters will also be taken into account, says CRZ, 2011, unveiled by Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh here.
Till the integrated management plans are approved, all constructions shall be permitted on a case-to-case basis by the Coastal Zone Management Authority in consultation with coastal communities.
The environment ministry has made it clear that barring cases of fishermen families, violations of CRZ 1991 will not be condoned or regularised with CRZ 2011.
The states have been asked to look out for violators within four months and initiate action against them.
Not only water up to 12 nautical miles from the sea, but the entire area of creeks, rivers and estuaries will now be included in the new CRZ, which proposes a number of restriction in construction and commercial activities near the shoreline.
The new regulations stipulates clear procedures for obtaining the CRZ approval with time-lines along with post-clearance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
The “no development zone” was being reduced from 200 mt from the high-tide line to 100 mt only to meet increased demands of housing of fishing and traditional coastal communities, Ramesh says.
‘Akshardham lacks clearance’
The Akshardham Temple, built on the banks of the Yamuna river here, lacks environmental clearance, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Friday but conceded that nothing could be done about it now, reports PTI from New Delhi. “Akshardham didn’t get the clearance. Akshardham didn’t apply for the environmental clearance,” Ramesh told reporters here.