KOCHI: With the Union Government set to introduce an amendment to the Coastal Regulation Zone norms, fishermen organisations have objected to certain recommendations in the draft amendment, which can cause an adverse impact on their livelihood.Malsythozhilali Akya Vedi leader Charles George alleged the amendment was aimed at diversion of coastal land for commercial use. This will facilitate the corporate companies and builders to remove fishermen from their natural habitat. As per the norms introduced in 2011, construction was permitted up to 200 metres from the high tide line. The draft amendment suggests reduction of the zone to 50 metres, which was a long pending demand of the fishermen.
While welcoming the move to reduce the regulation zone, we are concerned about the possibility of this provision being misused to facilitate the tourism industry, Charles said. According to Charles, the CRZ restrictions will literally become nil in Kerala if the proposed amendment was incorporated in the norms.
“Urban regions are categorised under Zone II. It is the discretion of the state government to include a region in zone III. The proposal suggests no restriction on this zone. Another proposal is any region with a population of 2,162 per sq km can be declared urban and included in Zone II.
In Kerala, the average rural population is 2,300 per sq km. If the amendment is implemented around 90 per cent area in Kerala will become urban under CRZ norms which will be helpful for carrying out any construction activity without restriction,” said Charles.
He said the amendment will help regularise the constructions declared illegal under the CRZ norms of 2011. “There are many builders in Kochi who face litigations for violating CRZ regulations. The amendment will be a huge relief for them as they can regularise the illegal buildings and clear legal hurdles,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had earlier requested the Union Government to provide relaxation in CRZ norms for those living in the coastal belt. The previous government had also identified nearly 40 places in the state where concession could be granted for tourism projects. Charles George alleged the Union Government did not intimate the state government about the proposed amendment. As per information, the state government, Department of Fisheries and Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority have not been intimated about the amendment and they have no idea about it,” he said.