Environmental Consciousness & Sustainable Development., UGC – HRDC Mumbai Refresher Course: K J Somaiya College, 31st October 2015
Coastal Regulatory Zone – Its Implementation and Monitoring under the National Environment Policy: Relevance and Implications for Development in Coastal Cities Like Mumbai Hrishikesh Samant, Department of Geology, St. Xavier’s College – Mumbai
[email protected] Abstract Our National Environment Policy is intended to mainstream environmental concerns in all development activities. One of the major causal factors for perpetuating a sense of insecurity, especially among the urban middle class and poor, is policy failure from a environment monitoring point of view. The degradation of quality of life, safety of property and incentive to demand and maintain a clean and safe city can be attributed to inappropriate policy and subsequent policy amendments without the consultation of domain experts. As the development activities in coastal areas is regulated by the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications and the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plans made under them, the present day grid lock for many major and minor civic infrastructure development projects in and around Mumbai city can be attributed to the lacunae and illogical modifications as well as interpretations of the CRZ notifications and the NEP in general. The use of satellite imagery and geospatial tools to observe, understand and monitor the impact of our urban development rules as interpreted through the CRZ rules helps understand the policies and take corrective measures. Keywords: National Environment Policy, CRZ, Mumbai Understanding the NEP: Under the NEP 2006 (in context with coastal resources) -‐ The following further actions were mandated a) Mainstream the sustainable management of mangroves into the forestry sector regulatory regime, ensuring that they continue to provide livelihoods to local communities. b) Disseminate available techniques for regeneration of coral reefs, and support activities based on application of such techniques. c) Explicitly consider sea-‐level rise and vulnerability of coastal areas to climate change and geological events, in coastal management plans, as well as infrastructure planning and construction norms. d) Adopt a comprehensive approach to Integrated Coastal Management by addressing linkages between coastal areas, wetlands, and river systems, in relevant policies, regulation, and programs. e) Develop a strategy for strengthening regulation, and addressing impacts, of ship-‐breaking activities on human health, and coastal and near marine resources.
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Environmental Consciousness & Sustainable Development., UGC – HRDC Mumbai Refresher Course: K J Somaiya College, 31st October 2015
Classification of CRZ: For regulating development activities, the coastal stretches within 500m of High Tide Line (HTL) on the landward side and between the HTL and LTL are classified into four categories: CRZ I – Area between LTL and HTL* CRZ II-‐ Developed Areas. CRZ III – Coastal zone in rural (developed and undeveloped) not substantially built up. CRZ IV – Coastal Islands and Andaman, Nicobar, Lakshadweep. Issues: (specific to Maharashtra) Protecting 720 km of coast line. Coastal metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane with their own unique environmental and socio-‐economic entanglements. CRZ Notification of 1991 has restricted the pace infrastructure development . Difficulties experienced in implementation of the CRZ notification: * Unclear mandate specifying the role of various authorities and delegation of powers to different agencies. * Inadequate communication and coordination among government agencies. * Insufficient human resources for implementation and inadequate infrastructure. CRZ Area Demarcation: # The original demarcation of HTL was done on maps at a scale of 1:25,000. However the development plans by the various Municipal bodies are on a scale of 1:4000 in some cases 1:2500. # This has created lot of ambiguity, as transformation from 1:25,000 to higher scale of 1:4000 or 1:2500, is neither permissible nor technically proper. # The local authorities have transferred the HTL from 1:25,000 to 1:4000 / 2500 creating confusion, which has resulted in litigation. # The MoEF vide letter dated 27/9/1996 had directed the State Govt. to prepare the map on 1:25000 scale through satellite imagery for the purpose of delineating the HTL.
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Environmental Consciousness & Sustainable Development., UGC – HRDC Mumbai Refresher Course: K J Somaiya College, 31st October 2015
# HTL should now be demarcated at a scale matching with the available cadastral survey which are at varying scales. A Way Ahead: • Demarcate specific development zones where the CRZ rules are not specifically modified keeping ground realities and infrastructure development in focus. • Modify the NEP to allow for such special status. Continue the inclusion of domain specialists in formulating regulations and address issues of practicality and implementability
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