Latest news with #IIMPs
Time of India
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
State govt. yet to submit proposal for IIMPs, says Union Minister
The Kerala government has not yet submitted the proposal for the Integrated Island Management Plans (IIMPs) as per the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2019, according to Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh. He was replying to Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden's question in the Lok Sabha on whether the Centre proposed to implement IIMPs to meet the unique environmental and infrastructure needs of island communities in Ernakulam, thus enhancing their quality of life and safeguarding their ecosystem. Mr. Singh said that the Ministry had approved the Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) for all coastal districts, including Ernakulam, through a letter dated October 16, 2024. IIMPs are prepared as per the CRZ Notification 2019 and are approved based on the proposal received from the State government. The Government of Kerala is yet to submit the IIMP proposal, he said. The MP had asked whether the government had plans to consider reassessing 13 excluded panchayats in Ernakulam for CRZ-II classification, given their urban-like characteristics and the essential development needs of their residents. It included Alangad, Chendamangalam, Chittattukara, Ezhikkara, Kadungalloor, Karumaloor, Kottuvally, Kunnukara, Puthenvelikkara, Udayamperoor, Vadakkekkara, Kuzhuppilly, and Pallippuram. The Minister said that the CZMP of Kerala was approved by the Ministry through a letter dated October 16, 2024, based on the recommendation of the technical scrutiny committee meeting held on March 1, 2024, and the recommendations of the National Coastal Zone Management Authority at its 47th meeting held on September 23, 2024. Thereafter, the Ministry has not received any further proposal to date for the inclusion of remaining panchayats in Category-II of the CRZ classification, he said.
