Ignoring opposition, Centre notifies new CRZ rules, 2018

Greens allege notification will open up fragile intertidal areas to real estate agents; Say it was framed to favour large-scale industry at cost of fishing communities

Published on:

22 Jan 2019, 12:10 am

Team Herald

PANJIM: Despite opposition and representations from various organisations, the Union government has notified the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), 2018 rules, which had been last reviewed and issued in 2011, with periodic amendments to some clauses.

The move comes against the backdrop of a series of representations received by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change from various coastal States/UTs, besides other stakeholders, for a comprehensive review of the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011, particularly related to the management and conservation of marine and coastal eco-systems, development in coastal areas, eco-tourism, livelihood option and sustainable development of coastal communities etc.

When the draft rules were made public in April, environmentalists had alleged that the notification will open up fragile intertidal areas to real estate agents and it was framed with the intent to favour large-scale industry at the cost of fishing communities.

The amendments were strongly opposed by the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) since their announcement in June 2014 by the Shailesh Nayak Committee, but they were ignored for they do not make for a sizeable vote bank in any one state.

The Notification also contains provisions for defence and strategic projects.

THE NEW NORMS

FSI NORMS EASED

* As per CRZ, 2011 Notification, for CRZ-II (Urban) areas, Floor Space Index (FSI) or Floor Area Ratio (FAR) had been frozen as per 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels

* In CRZ, 2018 Notification, it has been decided to de-freeze the same and permit FSI for construction projects, as prevailing on the date of the new Notification. This will enable redevelopment of these areas to meet the emerging needs

POLLUTION ABATEMENT

* To address pollution in coastal areas, treatment facilities made permissible activities in CRZ-I B area subject to safeguards

NDZ REDUCED IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS

For CRZ-III (rural) areas, two separate categories have been stipulated

* CRZ-III A: These are densely populated rural areas with a population density of 2161 per sq km as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall have a NDZ of 50 mtr from the HTL as against 200 mtr from the HTL stipulated in CRZ Notification, 2011. The reduction is on the ground that densely populated areas have similar characteristics as urban areas

* CRZ-III B: Rural areas with population density of below 2161 per sq km as per 2011 Census shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL

TOURISM INFRA PERMITTED IN COASTAL AREAS

* Temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, changing rooms, drinking water facilities etc permitted in beaches

* Such temporary tourism facilities now permissible in NDZ of CRZ-III areas, however, minimum distance of 10 m from HTL should be maintained

CRZ CLEARAMCE STREAMLINED

* Only projects/activities located in CRZ-I (Ecologically Sensitive Areas) and CRZ IV (area covered between Low Tide Line and 12 nautical miles seaward) shall be dealt with for CRZ clearance by MoEF&CC

* Powers for clearances with respect to CRZ-II and III delegated at State level with necessary guidance

NDZ OF 20 METRES STIPULATED FOR ALL ISLANDS

* For islands close to the main land coast and for all backwater islands in main land, in wake of space limitations and unique geography of such regions, bringing uniformity in treatment of such regions, NDZ of 20 m has been

stipulated