The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Special squads to protect coastal ecology soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Special squads to protect coastal ecology soon

By M. Dinesh Varma

CHENNAI, JUNE 9. The Department of Environment is planning to set up special squads in the State to oversee compliance of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms formulated to protect the coastal ecology.

These squads would be charged with identifying and reporting violations of the CRZ norms and would consist of around six members. Initially, the squads will patrol stretches prone to CRZ violations.

"Though compliance of CRZ norms is fairly good, we would like to improve conformity levels", S. Balaji, Director of the Department of Environment, told The Hindu.

The coastal stretches have been classified as CRZ I, II, III and IV according to the ecological profile and development level of the area. Chennai has been classified as CRZ II with 31 sq. km falling under this category.

The CRZ notification (1991) made under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, had declared certain stretches as Coastal Regulation Zones to regulate human activity in these areas. According to the notification, coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters, which are influenced by tidal action on the landward side up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line and the land between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line are declared as CRZ. The notification laid down guidelines providing for restriction of prohibited activities and regulation of permissible activities.

The implementation of CRZ across the State is vested with a Coastal Management Authority. In the districts, Coastal Zone Management committees are chaired by the District Collectors. These panels also comprise members from Forests, Town and Country Planning departments and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. In Chennai, the implementing agency is the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

The State's coastline

The ecosystems along the State's 1,000 kms coastline are an eclectic mix of biosphere reserves, coral reefs, mangroves, sand dunes and wildlife sanctuaries. The coastline is also dotted with several waterfront-pilgrim tourist centres.

The Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve established in 1989 jointly by the State Government and the Government of India is spread over 10,500 sq. kms and has a string of 21 islands in the Indian part of the Gulf. The biosphere houses around 3,600 species besides six genera and 11 species of sea grasses.

The coral reefs of Palk Strait stretch along the Mandapam peninsula and the fringe of the Rameswaram Island in an east-west direction. The mangroves close to the Pitchavaram and Muthupet lagoons encompass nearly 1,400 hectares of vegetation and are home to several rare tree species.

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