Environment Ministry to soon reform CMZ 2008 draft
Press Trust of India / New Delhi Jul 17, 2009, 14:29 IST
In view of strong protests by the fishing community, the Environment Ministry today said it would soon frame a "reformed" and "scientific-version" of the Draft Coastal Management Zone 2008, which has been allowed to lapse.
"The notification was to be finalised by July 22. But in view of the opposition from various stakeholders and keeping in mind the interest of fishermen and their families, we have decided to amend it.
"Now changes will be incorporated keeping in mind the scientific principles related to sustainable development as suggested by the four-member panel led by eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan," Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told a press conference here.
He said, "The coast belongs to the fisher community by tradition and they must not be alienated from their homeland. Protection of the interests of fishermen and their families will be paramount in the said exercise and not of builders as is being criticised."
Within the next two months, five consultations would be held across the country to discuss areas of improvement of the existing Costal Regulation Zone enacted in 1991 as suggested by a report, 'Final Frontier', to protect the ecosystem and habitat of India's coast for conservation and livelihood security.
"The reform would not interfere with the traditional and customary rights of fishing communities, but what we have suggested is checking of violations on the CRZ through improved space technology-enabled enforcement," Swaminathan said.
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