Govt gives nod to shacks, temporary structures in coastal regulation zone

SENIOR OFFICIALS SAID THESE CHANGES ARE BEING MADE TO RECONCILE THE AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED IN VARIOUS DRAFTS

The Union environment ministry has issued a notification allowing temporary shacks and structures on the beach during non-monsoon months and manual removal of sandbars (ridges of sand) in inter-tidal areas abutting the coast.

The notification consolidates and reconciles changes made in coastal regulation zone (CRZ) laws over the years, made with an eye on boosting tourism, though environmentalists said it is important to understand the impact of projects on these areas, among the most fragile environmentally, especially in the context of the climate crisis.

The notification, issued on November 24, also delegated the responsibility of approving some projects in CRZ-I (areas environmentally most critical) and CRZ-IV (areas with seawater) to the state coastal zone management authorities. These projects include stand-alone jetties, salt works, slipways, temporary structures, and erosion control measures.

The notification has also clarified that all construction activities related to projects of the Department of Atomic Energy or related to national defence or strategic or security importance shall be dealt with by the Centre based on the recommendation of the concerned Coastal Zone Management Authority, except those located in CRZ-II (developed land areas) or CRZ-III (rural areas along coastline).

Senior officials in the environment ministry said these changes are being made to reconcile the amendments introduced in various office memorandums and draft notifications. “None of this is new. These had been introduced in a draft CRZ notification in 2011. Now, they are being reconciled. But these will also help develop local tourism in untapped coastal locations,” said a senior official who asked not to be named.

Another official said an office memorandum is expected this week which will explain the workflow for some CRZ projects.

“For example, the Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) had requested the environment ministry for making certain amendments in CRZ Notification 2019 for delegating the powers of giving CRZ clearance to the State Coastal Zone Management Authorities/State Governments for small infrastructure projects like exploratory oil and gas drilling located in CRZ-I and CRZ-IV areas. We will soon provide a note explaining how these minor exploration projects will be appraised. They will be assigned to the state coastal management authorities,” he added, asking not to be named.

The draft notification to bring in these amendments was issued by the ministry on November 1, 2021. The inter-tidal zone lies between high and low tide zones where land and sea meet. The inter-tidal zone is underwater during high tide and exposed during low tide conditions.

“The Central Government has received representations from different stakeholders viz. the State Governments and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through Director General of Hydrocarbon for making certain amendments in Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2019, inter-alia, for delegating the powers of giving Coastal Regulation Zone clearance to the State Coastal Zone Management Authorities or State Governments for small infrastructure projects located in CRZ-I and CRZ-IV areas, exempting exploratory drilling and associated facilities thereto except CRZ-IA areas (ecologically sensitive areas, geomorphological features like coral reefs etc) including the provision of temporary beach shacks as already available in Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2011 as amended and expanding the said provision to all coastal states, allowing removal of sand bars by traditional communities under the provisions of the Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2019 as already available through Office Memorandum dated the 9th June, 2011,” the notification states.

HT reported on Monday that major infrastructure projects have been planned in the ecologically fragile Great Nicobar.

Experts said the notification may be meant to facilitate tourism along the coast and also adaptation activities for a better response to climate change impacts. “What may appear to be a routine exercise of regulatory reconciliation needs to be contextualised with how both central and state governments are envisioning coastal areas in economic policies. Coastal and marine areas are also spaces where governments are looking to attract partnerships for climate mitigation and adaptation projects...” said Kanchi Kohli, legal researcher at Centre for Policy Research.