New notification to prevent coastal erosion comes into force

New Delhi, Jan 7 (PTI) A new notification seeking to
prevent coastal erosion and strengthen ecological
infrastructure along the India's 7,500 km coastline came
into force on Friday.
The notification has also identified a new category of
Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas covering lakes and deltas.
The new Coastal Regulation Zone Notification (CRZ)
2011, issued here by Indian Environment Minister Jairam
Ramesh, replaced CRZ Notification 1991, the first such
notification, that was promulgated under the Environment
Protection Act of 1986 to protect the coastline.
The Minister also announced an Island Protection Zone
Notification, 2011 covering Andaman and Nicobar Islands and
Lakshadweep.
Spelling out the three main objectives of CRZ 2011,
Ramesh said, "The first aim is to protect the livelihoods of 7
million fishermen families living in the coastal areas. The
second objective is to protect the ecology of the coast to
prevent coastal erosion, to prevent marine pollution and to
strengthen the ecological infrastructure along our coastline.
And the third important objective is to generate economic
activity in the coastal areas."
"Beginning today, the January 7, CRZ 2011 will come
into force," the Minister told reporters here.
The Minister, however, made it clear that whatever
action the Ministry has already initiated for the violation of
CRZ 1991 would continue.
"The violations of the CRZ '91 are not being condoned.
I want to make it absolutely clear. Adarsh (a controversial
multi-storey building constructed in Mumbai by violating
environmental norms) will continue to be dealt with as a
violation of CRZ 91. And many other such cases," he said.
Ramesh also said the Centre has given four months'
time to the states to document all violations of CRZ 91 and
four months thereafter to initiate actions on these
violations.
Although the CRZ Notification 2011 is for entire
coastline of 7500 km, for the first time, it has special
chapter for Goa--- because of its unique cultural history and
geography--- a special chapter for Greater Mumbai--- because
it is the only island city in the country and there is a
separate chapter for Kerala--- because of its unique backwater
islands, the Minister said..
"We have also introduced the concept of a CVCA,
Critcally Vulnerable Coastal Area," he said.
"Examples of the CVCAs is Bhitar Kanika and Chilka in
Orissa, Gulf of Mannar from Tamil Nadu, Vembanad from Kerala,
East Godavari and Krishna delta in Andhra Pradesh and of
course, the most important Critcally Vulnerable Coastal Area,
the sundarban in West Bengal," Ramesh said. More PTI