Coastal community opposes amendments to Coastal Regulation Zone rules

The CRZ Notification 2011 regulates the activities in the coastal areas across the country. The draft MCRZ notification allows for reclamation of land for commercial purpose, which was banned earlier. Another intent in the new notifications would also be to open coastal areas to tourist activities. 

The fishing community fears that with these additions, their meagre livelihoods will be further threatened. “The CRZ Notification 2011 is for the protection of fishermen and livelihoods. But, this has not been enforced as violators are unpunished. The authorities should identify areas for livelihood activities but it has not been implemented. On the contrary, the number of buildings on coastal areas, violating the notification, is coming up. Not one building has been taken to task. Our livelihoods are already at stake. There is no place to keep our boats. With the amendments, the entire coastal area will be taken over for development,” said K Bharathi, President, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association. 

K Saravanan, who represents the fishing community of Urur Kuppam, said that these changes will dilute the CRZ Notifications 2011. “Relaxing the CRZ 2011 norms will not improve the way our coasts are being managed. It will complicate existing problems. The fishing community is scared that all the spaces, which are being used for their livelihoods, will be taken away. The MCRZ will legalise these violations,” said the Secretary of Urur-Kuppam Fishermen’s Cooperative Society. 

Pooja Kumar, researcher, Coastal Resource Centre, said that the existing CRZ Notification 2011 has not been fully implemented. She added that commercial activities will increase the vulnerability of the coast.