Latest news with #CoastalZoneManagementPlan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Eco-sensitive zones' master plan set, govt can draft CZMP: Sawant
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said in the House on Friday that the zonal master plan for eco-sensitive zones is ready. He said govt has received permission for drafting the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019. Once finalised, structures within 50 metres of the high tide line in urban areas will benefit, he said. MLAs sought the finalisation of the CZMP 2019 for the benefit of traditional coastal inhabitants. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo requested periodic checks by the tourism department on licences and insurance papers of water sports operators, as a means to avert accidents. The tourism department provides licences and renews them but doesn't check whether the boats are licensed and insured, Lobo said. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said the state's coastal and biodiversity bodies don't have a full-fledged plan to restore sand dunes. He called for a policy to protect khazan lands and ways to deal with mangroves encroaching on fields. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Island residents in Ernakulam left waiting for CRZ nod
Kochi: Island panchayats in Ernakulam district cannot proceed with new construction activities as the state govt has failed to submit integrated island management plans (IIMPs) to the Centre, the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has informed the Lok Sabha. As per the CRZ Notification, 2019, implementation of an IIMP is mandatory for construction to proceed on island regions. Singh clarified that IIMPs are prepared according to the CRZ notification, 2019 and the Centre approves them only after detailed proposals are submitted by the state. However, no IIMP project proposals have been submitted by the Kerala govt, he stated. The minister was answering questions from the MP regarding the the inclusion of 13 previously excluded panchayats in Ernakulam under the CRZ-II category. These include Alangad, Chendamangalam, Chittattukara, Ezhikkara, Kadungallur, Karumaloor, Kottuvally, Kunnukara, Puthanvelikara, Udayamperoor, Vadakkekkara, Kuzhippilly, Pallippuram and Edavanakadu. Hibi Eden noted that the wait has been long for residents, particularly the island fisherfolk and coastal communities, to benefit from the construction relaxations under the 2019 CRZ Notification. The Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), which reflects the new CRZ norms, was approved in Oct 2024, after much delay. "Even with the approval of this Coastal Zone Management Plan in Oct 2024, the key benefit of CRZ 2019 for coastal communities, including island fishermen, remains unrealized," stated the MP. "The concession, allowing construction beyond 20 meters from the water body boundary, hasn't been granted to eligible applicants because the IIMP, which was supposed to be released alongside the coastal zone management plan, is still not ready." He urged the state government to act swiftly to prepare and submit the IIMPs so that eligible coastal communities can finally access their long-promised development rights.
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Puducherry fishermen protest against flaws in Coastal Zone Management Plans
Members of the Meenavar Viduthalai Vengaigal, a fishermen organisation and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Puducherry, on Friday (July 25, 2025), staged a demonstration near the Swadeshi mills here, in protest against flaws in the Coastal Zone Management Plans. Leading the demonstration, R. Mangayarselvan, founder of the organisation demanded the inclusion of the fishing community's local infrastructure in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) maps. He said the draft maps were incomplete and lacked specific details on fishing zones, breeding and spawning grounds, common properties of fishing communities, and a comprehensive plan for the long-term housing needs of coastal fishermen as specified in the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification. As many as 551.2 acres of local infrastructure in the coastal villages in Puducherry and 175.04 acres in Karaikal had been deliberately left out in the CZMP maps. He emphasised the need to include common properties, such as net-mending areas and fish auction or sale zones. The map, in its present form, is incomplete and not in tune with the amended Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2024 since it had left out key land use spaces of fishermen, he added. Leader of Opposition R. Siva and representatives from CPI (M) participated.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Divar bundh set to finally be fixed, will stave off flooding
Panaji: The water resources department (WRD) is finally set to repair a damaged bundh at Navelim, Divar. The bundh was in a dilapidated condition, with mangroves growing around the existing structure. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) recently issued an NOC for the strengthening of the bundh, provided its width was not increased and the mangroves in the land were not disturbed. Most of the bundh falls in the no-development zone of the Mandovi river, and the land falls within the mangrove buffer zone and khazan area as per Goa's Coastal Zone Management Plan, 2011. The age-old bundh system, dating back to the pre-Portuguese era, is meant to help make farming possible near saline estuarine areas. The maintenance of mud bundhs is a major challenge for the WRD, which is on the lookout for a viable solution. Concrete bundhs were opposed by the Goa State Biodiversity Board, stating that they can prove detrimental to the ecosystem and may adversely affect many species. Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar once proposed the use of vinyl sheet piling as a new-age solution to the concrete bundhs that were being constructed at the time by the WRD. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Most of Divar's khazan lands were once very productive granaries of food. However, breached bundhs, particularly in areas like Malar and Goltim-Navelim, have been a recurring issue, causing flooding of paddy fields and threatening crops due to saline water ingress from the Mandovi river. This problem often worsens during heavy rain and the weakening of ancient khazan systems, leading to significant losses for farmers and concerns for residential areas as well.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Over 70,000 housing units stalled across MMR amid green clearance hurdle
MUMBAI: The construction of more than 70,000 housing units across 493 projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has come to a standstill following a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal, a statutory body in India that deals with cases related to environmental protection and other natural resources. The new requirement has caused widespread delays, impacting project timelines and placing enormous financial strain on both developers and homebuyers. According to industry estimates, a majority of the affected projects fall within the affordable and mid-income housing segments (Aalok Soni/HT PHOTO) The tribunal's order mandates that all real estate projects falling within a 5 km radius of eco-sensitive zones must now secure environmental clearance from the Central government instead of state-level authorities — a significant departure from earlier norms. Until this directive, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had the jurisdiction to evaluate and clear such proposals. The new requirement has caused widespread delays, impacting project timelines and placing enormous financial strain on both developers and homebuyers. According to industry estimates, a majority of the affected projects fall within the affordable and mid-income housing segments. In early June, real estate representatives sought relief by meeting municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, urging him to allow these stalled projects to at least proceed up to the plinth level under the Ease of Doing Business initiative. However, the plea was turned down, as any such permission would be in direct violation of the NGT's August 2023 order, passed in response to a petition filed by Bhopal-based environmentalist Pranjal Karera. Karera's petition had sought that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) centrally appraise all construction projects within 5 km of protected zones — including those under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, critically and severely polluted areas identified by the Central Pollution Control Board, and eco-sensitive zones notified under Section 3(2) of the Environment Protection Act. The order's impact is being felt across large swathes of MMR — including areas surrounding Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnala and Thane Bird Sanctuaries, Panvel Creek, and Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary. Developers argue that while environmental safeguards are necessary, delays in clearances are jeopardising the viability of ongoing projects. 'These clearances are a crucial part of the approval process. Timely intervention is essential to streamline procedures without compromising environmental norms,' said Zameer Khan, CEO of Unimax World. He added that several projects are also awaiting Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) approvals, further compounding delays. Developers warn that the prolonged uncertainty could result in increased project costs, which may eventually be passed on to homebuyers. The situation is particularly severe in Navi Mumbai, where many housing projects on CIDCO-allotted government land are stuck. These projects cannot be registered with the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) without the requisite clearances. 'The ripple effects are far-reaching — contractors, buyers, and even state government revenues are suffering. We're hoping for a viable solution soon,' said Hitendra Ghadia, director at Millennium Infra.
