55 cases of CRZ violations recorded in 2 years in DK
Mangaluru: Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations in Dakshina Kannada have emerged as a serious environmental issue over the past few years. In two years, at least 55 cases of CRZ violations were reported in Dakshina Kannada, particularly along riverbanks and the seashore.According to officials, one of the major challenges in curbing these violations is the tendency of local bodies to grant permission for constructing homestays and guest houses without considering CRZ restrictions.
"The High Tide Line (HTL) serves as a crucial reference point for demarcating the CRZ, an area along the coastline where developments are strictly regulated to safeguard the coastal environment. For coastal stretches, the CRZ extends 500m from the sea and 50m from rivers. However, over the years, there has been a noticeable shift in many parts of the coastline, with the shoreline gradually receding. As a result, residents living near the shore often observe that the sea encroached further inland, and what was once the HTL now appears to have moved significantly closer to their homes. While these are cases observed by CRZ officials or those brought to their attention, there may be many more violations that may have gone unnoticed. Hence, the tourism department and the local authorities have to be cautious before granting permission for any activity in the CRZ," an official said.While the state govt put in place a shoreline management plan to address sea erosion, the official said the CRZ is monitored based on the 2019 notification, in which the HTL is decided based on satellite imagery data and ground surveys.Meanwhile, sources also said that locals are opposing the inclusion of the upstream area of the newly constructed barrage-cum-bridge across the Nethravati River at Adyar-Harekala under the CRZ. Officials, however, clarified that any such changes would require a revision of the existing CRZ guidelines, the official said.Illegal sand mining remains a major concern, despite the availability of sand in designated non-CRZ areas.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
22 sea-facing buildings on ECR face demolition after CRZ violations flagged
Chennai: As many as 22 beach-facing residential buildings in Muttukadu on East Coast Road (ECR) face the threat of demolition, with the Chengalpattu district administration identifying them as violators of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. The identified buildings—some completed, others still under construction—are located within the No Development Zone (NDZ) of CRZ III, where permanent structures are banned within 200 metres of the High Tide Line. At least six of these were found to be under construction even during the inspection, indicating ongoing activity despite regulatory restrictions. Others are upscale, completed buildings, with some even having two floors, built along the fragile coastal stretch at Muttukadu. These findings were part of an Action Taken Report submitted by Chengalpattu Collector S Arunraj to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took suo motu cognisance of the matter. The collector's team, comprising revenue and environmental officials, carried out GPS-tagged inspections and submitted photographs and ownership details to the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) to initiate action. The case, heard on Thursday, saw the tribunal's expert member Satyagopal Korlapati ask pointed questions on why no demolition was initiated so far, given that violations were already acknowledged by the administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The NGT also noted that the District Collector, as chairman of the district coastal zone management authority (DCZMA), was expected to act decisively against such illegal developments. In response, the state coastal zone management authority (SCZMA) informed the bench that it forwarded the list of violators to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, seeking clarification on whether it had the authority to directly carry out demolitions. The NGT is now expected to decide on whether demolition can proceed without waiting for further directions from the Centre. The matter is likely to be taken up in the coming weeks.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
NCSCM confirms only 50m Coastal Regulation Zone buffer applies to Palk Bay coastline
's National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) confirmed that only a 50-metre Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) buffer applies to the Palk Bay coastline—not 500 metres as claimed by a petitioner. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This means that development controls along the coastline could ease significantly. Petitioner Arul Raj, a Ramanathapuram resident, sought directions to quash draft CZMP map numbers TN 44 to 60, arguing that Palk Bay was part of the sea and should therefore be subjected to a 500-metre CRZ as per the 2019 Notification. Filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), NCSCM's submission draws on the CRZ Notification, 2019, and official hydrographic charts to classify Palk Bay as a tidal-influenced water body. Under the notification, such water bodies attract only a 50m buffer from the High Tide Line (HTL), not the broader 500m applicable to open sea stretches. This interpretation reaffirms that only a smaller stretch of coastal land is subject to regulation, potentially opening up more area in Ramanathapuram and Pudukkottai districts for fishing infrastructure, tourism, and livelihood-based development. "While it could unlock economic opportunities along the southern coast, it also raises the possibility of increased ecological pressure in the absence of proper safeguards," said B Raja, an environmental activist. Following the Tribunal's direction, NCSCM conducted ground-truthing on March 15, 2025, across 20 coastal sites from Rameswaram to Manamelkudi. Scientists used handheld GPS devices to verify the presence of mangroves, salt marshes, and fisheries-related structures depicted in the draft CZMP maps. The petitioner based his claim on light blue shading in the draft maps, interpreting it as a 500-metre CRZ zone. NCSCM clarified that the colour was a draft-level visual error—not a legal demarcation. It added that the maps would be corrected if such errors were pointed out during public consultations. The Tribunal is scheduled to hear the matter on July 17. Email your feedback with name and address to MSID:: 121937674 413 |
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Plan for new reservoir hits clearance hurdle
Chennai: Plans for Chennai's sixth reservoir near Thiruporur encountered a regulatory roadblock, delaying its execution. A state expert committee returned the proposal submitted by water resources department (WRD), asking the department to seek clearance under coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) rules instead of continuing with an application for environmental clearance. At a recent meeting, the state expert appraisal committee (SEAC) reviewed WRD's request to form a 4,375-acre reservoir in Kovalam sub-basin, located between ECR and Old Mahabalipuram Road. The 471-crore project aims to store up to 2.25 tmcft of water annually, helping to augment Chennai's drinking water supply. However, SEAC clarified that since the project does not involve major river valley development, hydroelectric generation or any tunnelling or mining, it does not require environmental clearance under the usual norms. Instead, it falls within the scope of CRZ due to its proximity to the coast. The committee directed the WRD to place the proposal before the Coastal Zone Management Authority for further evaluation, as mandated under CRZ Notification, 2011. The committee also raised concerns about untreated wastewater from nearby villages flowing into the reservoir via natural drains.
