[Reader-list] No new constructions in CRZ area: Ramesh

T Peter peter.ksmtf at gmail.com
Sat Oct 2 09:01:14 IST 2010


No new constructions in CRZ area: Ramesh

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/10/02/stories/2010100254370400.htm
K.S. Sudhi

‘Dwelling units of local communities can be repaired, rebuilt'
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Ministry open to suggestions on notification

Booklets in local languages to be circulated
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KOCHI: No new constructions, except facilities for local communities,
will be permitted in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area of
backwater islands in Kerala, says Union Minister of State for
Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh.

The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), a national federation of trade
unions and organisations of fish workers, in a complaint to the
Ministry, has alleged that the setback area in the backwater islands
in Kerala has been reduced to 50 metres for the benefit of hoteliers
and developers who have acquired large chunks of land in the islands.

According to NFF chairman Mathanhy Saldanha, most of these islands
have been purchased by the tourism lobby. The new notification is
aimed at protecting the interests of the tourism sector and not
fishermen communities. It will do no good for the coastal ecosystem
and the environment.

Responding to the criticism, Mr. Ramesh says the draft CRZ
Notification, 2010 has stated that existing dwelling units of local
communities could be repaired or reconstructed and no new
constructions shall be carried out in the CRZ area of all islands in
the backwaters of Kerala. It is mentioned in the notification that
islands within the backwaters shall have a 50-m CRZ area from the High
Tide Line on the landward side. Foreshore facilities such as fishing
jetty, fish-drying yards, net-mending yards, fish processing by
traditional methods, boat-building yards, ice plants and boat-repair
units will be permitted within the 50-metre limit, Mr. Ramesh says in
an e-mail to The Hindu.

The fishermen's forum has argued against giving special status to
Kerala, Goa and Navi Mumbai. Mr. Saldanha has said that “if at all any
special consideration has to be given, it should be done after
detailed scientific assessments and not a blanket relaxation as
prescribed by the notification.”

Mr. Ramesh says that special dispensation has been provided for slum
redevelopment and dilapidated structure reconstruction in Mumbai,
reconstruction/ repair of dwellings of local communities of Goa,
relaxation of No Development Zone for Kerala and preparation of a
special management plan for the identified Critical Vulnerable Coastal
Areas such as the Gulf of Khambat and the Gulf of Kutchchh in Gujarat,
Vembanad in Kerala, Bhaitarkanika in Orissa, Coringa, East Godavari
and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh.

It has been pointed out during public consultations that local
communities in the backwaters islands of Kerala and traditional
communities in Sunderbans and other ecologically sensitive areas are
facing hardship, he says.

The Ministry is open to suggestions for improving the notification.
Booklets in local languages highlighting the features of the
notification will be circulated and posted on the web site of the
Ministry, he says.

http://www.keralafishworkers.in
http://www.alakal.net


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