Activists fume at Maha govt's move to shrink CRZ area
Say proposal to reduce no-development zone from 500 m to 200 m from sea to benefit builders.
The state government's plan to reduce no-development zone - as mandated by the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms - from the current 500 metres to 200 metres has drawn sharp criticism from activists who feel this would do irreparable damage to the environment. They said the decision was taken to help the city's real estate industry and called for the state to drop the plan.
"The 500 metre buffer is essential to ensure there are no environmental disasters. Reducing this will surely have adverse effects. In the quest for development, one should not ignore safety," said D Stalin, project director of NGO Vanashakti.
As per CRZ regulations, which were first formulated in 1990, there is a blanket ban on development within 500 metres from the high tide line. Coastal areas in the state are classified into three under CRZ. While CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas falling within 100 metres of the hightide line where no development is allowed, CRZ-III covers areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line and are also largely considered no-development zones. CRZ-II, however, cover areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line but are already developed, for instance, Marine Drive or Carter Road in Bandra.
Environment minister Ramdas Kadam proposed the change in the legislative assembly on Thursday, citing the example of Kerala and Karnataka which have already relaxed these norms. "Once the limit is revised, the state will be able to carry out many coastal infrastructure projects," the minister had said. The government will soon send the proposal to the Centre for approval.
Stalin junked the examples of the two states posed by the minister. "The geographical conditions in Kerala and Karnataka are different from our state. In Mumbai, such a relaxation will simply benefit builders," said Stalin.
Debi Goenga, executive trustee of Conservation Action Trust, too slammed the "poorly thought-out" proposal which he said showed the government's "ignorance" with regard to climate change. "The environment minister's job is to protect environment and not harm it. He should be sacked for this," said Goenga.
Builders laud move
Meanwhile, builders' groups have supported the proposal which they feel will boost real estate in the city. "CRZ norms have been a hindrance to redevelopment of over 16,000 dilapidated buildings in the city. The government move will greatly benefit residents of these structures," said Mayur Shah, President, CREDAI -MCHI and managing director of Marathon Group.
Niranjan Hiranandani, Managing Director Hiranandani Constructions and National President, National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), said India's pointed out that India's CRZ policy is regressive. "If you go abroad to places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Florida, you will see that the governments have opened up development of the coastline to promote tourism. In Florida, there are many beach resorts right next to the sea. In fact 25 per cent of Singapore and 20 per cent of Dubai is reclaimed from the sea," he said.
What are CRZ norms?
The Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms imposes a blanket ban on development activities within 500 metres from the high tide line. Coastal areas in the state are classified into three under CRZ. While CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas falling within 100 metres of the high-tide line where no development is allowed, CRZ-III covers areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line and are also largely considered no-development zones. CRZ-II, however, cover areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line but are already developed, for instance, Marine Drive or Carter Road in Bandra.
- Satish Nandgaonkar and Makarand Gadgil (TOI)
The state government's plan to reduce no-development zone - as mandated by the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms - from the current 500 metres to 200 metres has drawn sharp criticism from activists who feel this would do irreparable damage to the environment. They said the decision was taken to help the city's real estate industry and called for the state to drop the plan.
"The 500 metre buffer is essential to ensure there are no environmental disasters. Reducing this will surely have adverse effects. In the quest for development, one should not ignore safety," said D Stalin, project director of NGO Vanashakti.
As per CRZ regulations, which were first formulated in 1990, there is a blanket ban on development within 500 metres from the high tide line. Coastal areas in the state are classified into three under CRZ. While CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas falling within 100 metres of the hightide line where no development is allowed, CRZ-III covers areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line and are also largely considered no-development zones. CRZ-II, however, cover areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line but are already developed, for instance, Marine Drive or Carter Road in Bandra.
Environment minister Ramdas Kadam proposed the change in the legislative assembly on Thursday, citing the example of Kerala and Karnataka which have already relaxed these norms. "Once the limit is revised, the state will be able to carry out many coastal infrastructure projects," the minister had said. The government will soon send the proposal to the Centre for approval.
Stalin junked the examples of the two states posed by the minister. "The geographical conditions in Kerala and Karnataka are different from our state. In Mumbai, such a relaxation will simply benefit builders," said Stalin.
Debi Goenga, executive trustee of Conservation Action Trust, too slammed the "poorly thought-out" proposal which he said showed the government's "ignorance" with regard to climate change. "The environment minister's job is to protect environment and not harm it. He should be sacked for this," said Goenga.
Builders laud move
Meanwhile, builders' groups have supported the proposal which they feel will boost real estate in the city. "CRZ norms have been a hindrance to redevelopment of over 16,000 dilapidated buildings in the city. The government move will greatly benefit residents of these structures," said Mayur Shah, President, CREDAI -MCHI and managing director of Marathon Group.
Niranjan Hiranandani, Managing Director Hiranandani Constructions and National President, National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), said India's pointed out that India's CRZ policy is regressive. "If you go abroad to places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Florida, you will see that the governments have opened up development of the coastline to promote tourism. In Florida, there are many beach resorts right next to the sea. In fact 25 per cent of Singapore and 20 per cent of Dubai is reclaimed from the sea," he said.
What are CRZ norms?
The Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms imposes a blanket ban on development activities within 500 metres from the high tide line. Coastal areas in the state are classified into three under CRZ. While CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas falling within 100 metres of the high-tide line where no development is allowed, CRZ-III covers areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line and are also largely considered no-development zones. CRZ-II, however, cover areas that fall within 500 meters of the high-tide line but are already developed, for instance, Marine Drive or Carter Road in Bandra.
- Satish Nandgaonkar and Makarand Gadgil (TOI)
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