The islands in the backwaters of Kerala will witness a flurry of development activities as the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has proposed to reduce the ‘No Development Zone' to 50 metres against the existing 200 metres from the High Tide Line. The relaxation will be for construction of dwelling units. “A special dispensation for coastal stretches of Kerala is proposed to be provided which will include a 50m ‘No Development Zone' along all backwater islands,” according to the Ministry. The case of Kerala was considered along with Navi Mumbai and Greater Mumbai, which also have thickly populated coastal areas.
The decision was taken considering the long-standing demand for reduction of ‘No Development Zone' from the State and the “most unique coastal environments wherein more than 300 islands are located within its backwaters.”
“Most of these islands/narrow land strips such as Maruvakad, Challakadavu, Kandakadavu, Puthanthode, Kannamaly, Cheriyakadavu and Kattiparambil are thickly populated. The population density along the coastal areas is around 2,150 persons per sq.km.,” the Ministry observed. Most of the islands in the State were included in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) - 3 comprising rural areas and CRZ-1 which are ecologically sensitive areas. In the case of CRZ-1, no development activities can be taken up.
Clearance
The Ministry has also proposed that clearance for housing projects of area more than 2 lakh sq.ft. should be sought from the State Coastal Zone Management Authority and the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee.
For projects below the limit, clearance has to be obtained from the State Coastal Zone Management Authority and the urban local bodies and panchayats.
