Speaking with the mediapersons on the sidelines of Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting held here at DC Office on Friday, Gowda said that Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has been urged to extend the relaxations and provisions to the fishermen and fisheries villages of Karnataka similar to that proposed in Navi Mumbai, Goa and Kerala. The government sponsored programmes like Matsya Ashraya, Basava Indira, Ashraya and Indira Awaz Yojana, which provide housing facilities for fishermen should have special consideration in the CRZ limits.
He said the existing provision of limiting the regulatory zone to the width of water body should be reduced. The government owes the responsibility of compensating the losses. A mechanism for compensating losses should be worked out. Construction of houses for traditional inhabitants should be allowed in the developed zone of CRZ. Those who have constructed houses in restricted areas of CRZ by violating CRZ notification 1991 should be exempted from any punitive action, he said.Earlier addressing the meet, Gowda informed that any suggestions to the amendments on CRZ notification should be sent to Deputy Commissioner by Monday.
CRZ Regional Director Balachandra said the provision of Special Tourism Zone to Kerala and Goa was announced much before CRZ notification 1991. Storage of fish is allowed within the CRZ limits but processing of fish is not allowed.
Naxal menace
Gowda informed that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has agreed to earmark Rs 25 crore to provide basic facilities in Naxal infested areas.
Zilla Panchayat CEO N Rajashekhar said that the project to provide solar lights in naxal infested areas should be given additional importance. Similarly initiatives should be taken to accelerate the implementation of Multi-Village Scheme in the district.
Multi-Village Scheme should be implemented in 100 villages in the district. Measures should be taken to manage solid waste in all the villages.
Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha said “we need to lay more emphasis on solid waste management in villages adjacent to NH 17. There are seven Gram Panchayats situated besides NH 17.”
Gowda said “quarry owners should be made to take responsibility of maintaining the roads as the mines lorries are damaging the roads. They should be asked to compensate the damages. If they fail to do so, then their licences should be cancelled,” he said.