Kerala may seek further cut in no-development zone

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is likely to recommend further reduction in ‘no-development zone’ (NDZ) in draft CRZ notification (2018) and a cabinet decision, in this regard, is expected on Wednesday. Draft CRZ notification (2018) reduced the stipulation of 100m as NDZ in CRZ-III to 50m.

As per the draft notification (2018), in CRZ-III A, area up to 50m from the HTL (high tide line) on the landward side shall be earmarked as NDZ, provided CZMP (coastal zone management plan) framed with due consultative process, have been approved, failing which, NDZ of 200m shall continue.



The state government, in a set of recommendations submitted to Shailesh Nayak committee, had recommended that considering the stress due to population on the banks of tidally-affected waterbodies, NDZ of CRZ-III along the banks of inland waterbodies may be reduced to 50m from HTL (landward) from the present stipulation of 100m.

The draft notification 2018 while classifying CRZ-III as CRZ-III-A and CRZ-III-B has brought down NDZ from 100m to 50m, which the government wants to revise further. Sources hinted that at a meeting convened by the chief secretary to finalize recommendations for draft notification (2018), there were suggestions to bring down NDZ further to 20m.

This discussion had triggered dissent among members of Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) who said that reducing NDZ would result in massive construction spree along coastal area and along the banks of inland waterbodies.

But, senior officials said that the further reduction move was spurred by the huge population density in Kerala. “Although the distance of NDZ has been made 50m, Kerala would want it to be reduced considering our thickly congested habitation areas,” said a senior official.

The government, which had pointed out in the recommendations to Shailesh Nayak committee that CRZ notification imposes limitations on tourism growth and stressed on the need to modify CRZ norms related to backwaters and tidal-influenced waterbodies, has not raised concerns regarding eco-tourism activities such as mangrove walks, tree huts, nature trails, etc in CRZ-I-A.

KCZMA has also cited that the declaration of Vembanad as critically vulnerable coastal areas (CVCA) shall not affect the existing livelihood activities of fisherfolk and inhabitants. It has also demanded re-inclusion of industries handling hazardous substances in list of prohibited activities in CRZ. It has also expressed need for preventing reclamation activities within CRZ.