Coastal Zone Management Plan by Aug 31

The NGT on Monday directed all states and Union territories (UT) to submit a Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests by August 31.

Observing that coastal areas of ecological importance must be protected, the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted that out of total 13 coastal states and UTs, only five have submitted their management plan to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) till date.

All states must complete their plan by August 31, 2018, the bench directed.

The green panel asked the Union environment ministry to complete their exercise with regard to the states who have already completed finalisation of CZMPs and issue interim notifications.

The NGT had in November last year directed all states and Union territories to submit CZMP to the MoEF before April 30.

The direction came on a plea filed by fisherman Mehdad and others seeking an expeditious framing of CZMP for different states and UTs such as Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu.

Coastal zone management involves managing coastal areas to balance environmental, economic, human health and related activities.