Kerala government to press for relaxation in Costal Regulation Zone norms: CM

The LDF government would press the Centre for relaxation in the Coastal Regulation Zone rules as some of them were adversely affecting coastal dwellers in the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The fishermen community and other coastal dwellers in the state were facing severe issues due to the CRZ rules, he told the state Assembly.

"The fisher folk and other coastal dwellers are facing serious issues due to some of the norms of the CRZ. So, the government will ask the Union Forest and Environment Ministry to relax its norms," he said replying to a Calling Attention by MLA K Dasan of CPI(M).

The state would ask for the relaxation considering the geographic specialties of the state, which comprises backwaters and waterlogged areas, he said.

The CRZ restrictions on the construction activities in the coastal areas should be relaxed as coastal dwellers were not permitted to construct or repair houses and even erect sheds for keeping their fishing equipment, he said.

The Chief Minister said the government had already submitted its recommendations to the Centre and it would continue its efforts to fulfil the the state's demands in this regard.