THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala coastal zone management authority (KCZMA) is unlikely to recommend the controversial
resort project undertaken by Kapico Kerala Resorts Pvt Ltd on Nediyathuruthu
island in Vembanad Lake for CRZ and environmental clearance. KCZMA is learnt to have decided against recommending the project, citing serious violations involved in the construction.
The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had earlier sought its recommendations for CRZ clearance after the ministry received an application from the project proponent for the same. The project proponents had filed an application with MoEF seeking benefits of its notification in March 2017 pertaining to constructions done without obtaining prior environmental clearance under Environmental Impact Assessment notification 2006.
The project worth Rs 350 crores involved construction of resorts by Kapico Kerala Resorts Pvt Ltd with a built-up area of 28,795 sq m and plot area of 69,083 sq m. In 2013, the high court had directed the demolition of the building due to violation of EIA and CRZ notifications. The project proponents then moved Supreme court with a special leave petition and SC passed an interim order directing MoEF to pass appropriate order in accordance with MoEF notification dated March 14,2017.
KCZMA in its latest meeting took up the matter and cited that the notification does not cover those projects which have been declared by court of law as illegal and violative of environmental norms. The meeting further noted that the location of the buildings is marked as 'filtration pond(FP)' in
coastal zone management plan (CZMP) - prepared as per CRZ Notification 1991 & approved by MoEF on 27/9/96 - and it falls under CRZ-I Category. The 50m zone adjoining it is also demarcated as CRZ-I, since the low-lying area is likely to be inundated due to sea level rise (SLR).
"The resorts at
Panavally village is not a permissible activity under CRZ notifications of 1991 & 2011. Regularisation is not a permissible activity as per both notification & MoEF notification dated 14/3/2017," the meeting noted. The minutes of the meeting and the letter to MoEF was finalized on Monday. Officials said the government cannot recommend the project for environmental clearance.
Member secretary changed
KCZMA member secretary Padma Mahanti was replaced by Veena N Madhavan. The order was issued by the
general administration department even as the environment department finalized the letter to MoEF. Mahanti is being shifted though her deputation ends in a month. She had assumed charge on September 5, 2016.
Mahanti was instrumental in digging up pending cases of CRZ violations including the Muthoot Kapico one. The replacement comes at a time when 14 applications are pending for clearance which have been filed following the March 2017 MoEF notification that was meant for constructions done without mandatory environmental clearances. Madhavan will take charge on Tuesday.
