Report of draft coastal management zone submitted

New Delhi, July 17 (ANI): Eminent agricultural scientist M.S Swaminathan on Friday handed over the report on the Expert Committee on the Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) to Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh.

Elaborating Ministry's stand after accepting the report, Ramesh said that the Ministry has accepted the recommendation of the Committee.

"The Ministry will have a special protection regime for critically vulnerable coastal areas like Sunderbans and Chilka lake and of new management regimes in Andaman and Nicobar as well as Lakshadweep islands will be introduced," he added

The Minister also announced constitution of National Coastal Zone Management Board which will be chaired by Minister of Environment and Forests and co-chaired by the Minister of Earth Sciences.

Addressing the media, Swaminathan said that the committee studied the views expressed by a wide range of stake holders both in writing and orally at the 35 consultations held all over the country. They also had discussions with central and state governments, representatives from Mumbai Metropolitan Representatives, fisherman and women.

On June 15, the Ministry of Environment and forests had constituted a four-member committee under the chairmanship of Swaminathan to recommend future steps on the draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification, 2008.

The review committee comprises Sunita Narain, director, Centre for Science and Environment, Shailesh Nayak, secretary in the Earth Sciences Ministry and J Mauskar additional secretary, Environment Ministry.

The committee has found in its deliberations that there are a number of areas of concern in coastal areas that need to be addressed. Due to the limited time at its disposal, the committee has outlined these issues in its report, so that necessary follow-up actions can be taken.

The committee suggests that the government should initiate consolations and amend the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 based on the outcome. (ANI)