Indian Express: New Delhi: Tuesday,
June 21, 2016.
Relaxing the
existing restrictions on development in coastal areas, the Shailesh Nayak
Committee report has proposed for allowing housing infrastructure and slum
redevelopment activities, tourism, ports and harbor and fisheries-related
activities in coastal regulation zones.
The
six-member committee was constituted in June, 2014 and it submitted the report
to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) in
January 2015. The ministry has disclosed the report after an order from the
Information Commissioner last month ordering the ministry that it cannot deny
the report under the Right to Information (RTI), Act.
The report
proposes the devolution of powers to state and union territory governments
along with local authorities as sought by several states.
“Several
States/UTs indicated that there is considerable ambiguity in the clearance of
projects. The procedures are complicated and time taking. It was also indicated
that the form for seeking clearance of projects in CRZ Notification, 2011 is
complicated and very elaborate. Several States/UTs sought for delegation of
powers for according clearance to projects in the coastal areas,” said the
report.
The report
further said that several states have brought to the notice that the existing
regulations MoEF&CC to accord clearance for small projects such as laying
of pipelines, transmission lines, conveyance systems and public buildings.
“The
Committee is of the opinion that the MoEF&CC should restrict itself to
policy making in the area of coastal management and monitoring of activities.
Such clearances for small projects could be undertaken by the State/UT
Governments or other agencies,” it said.
The coastal
regulations were last amended in 2011 but several states were not happy, saying
it was hampering development in coastal areas. It required development of
coastal development plans but several states are yet to submit it.
The committee
found that the 2011 regulations, especially with regard to construction, have
affected the housing, slum redevelopment, redevelopment of dilapidated
structures and other dangerous buildings.
“It is
strongly felt that the concerned State Governments should be left to address
the housing needs of the communities as per the State/UT Government norms.
Providing decent housing to all communities is of prime importance and is a
fundamental requirement of the people,” it said.
Dividing
areas as densely populated rural areas and rural areas, the report imposes
lesser regulation for the former through the reduction of the no development
zone to 50 metres and 200 meters of the high tide line for others.
The Committee
strongly supported that new opportunities and initiatives need to be taken to
address the economic and social development of coastal communities.
“Most of the
traditional coastal communities, who live on the resources from the coastal
areas, especially fishing, need to be provided with adequate opportunity for
economic development.
The local
communities should be provided with an opportunity to take up tourism,
artisanal fisheries such as traditional aquaculture and ornamental fish
culture, in such ecosystem areas for their economic improvement,” it further
said.
The committee
further called for the Governments to work in areas which will address both
conservation and economic development of the communities thereby, reducing
pressure on the already depleting fisheries.
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