Kerala coastal authority sends coastal management plans to local bodies

The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) has dispatched the draft Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP) to local bodies for discussion. The Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP) 2019, prepared by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) for seven districts in Kerala—Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kottayam. The draft of the plan was made with the 1:25,000 scale map by recognising and categorising the coastal zone regulation (CRZ) areas within the corresponding regions per the CRZ notification 2019. The report says the CZMP database, scrutinised by the technical scrutiny committee and finalised by the national centre for sustainable coastal management (NCSCM), can be used as the base for revising or updating the prevailing CZMP. Last month, the reports were presented in front of the Kerala coastal zone management authority (KCZMA). According to the KCZMA, an in-depth discussion and demarcation of islands and the status of the mangrove trees were also taken place. Members shared their opinions that the absence of the integrated island management plan (IIMP) in the coastal zone management plan (CZMP) should be cleared with the involvement of the environment ministry through the NCESS before beginning the public consultation process. The criteria required for the preparation of IIMP for smaller islands also will be included within the clarification, consistent with KCZMA minutes. The draft of the coastal zone management plans is being prepared for nine coastal districts, including some areas of Kottayam. In a letter dated 22 April, the local bodies have been asked to discuss with the public or locals and stakeholders and revert within two weeks. Though, there is a matter of concern that the report can be published without proper discussions, especially in Ernakulam, which have faced the pulling down of four residential apartments in Maradu and one restaurant in Aluva, as per the Supreme Court orders. Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) writes to the Chief Minister wanting an extension of the time given by the KCZMA to the local bodies. Image SourceAlso read: Vizhinjam port gets extension on environmental clearance validity