Kerala - Kochi   

Violation of CRZ norms rampant in backwater areas

K.S.Sudhi

Coastal Zone Management Authority writes to Government

KOCHI: Violations of Coastal Regulation Zone norms are rampant in Maradu, Kumbalam and Thevara areas of the city. In the process, the State is quickly losing one of its rich natural heritages — the backwaters.

The norms are flouted to build structures on the banks of the backwaters, posing a serious threat to the natural heritage and the ecosystem of water bodies. Imposing structures, both commercial and residential ones, with water frontage come up regularly in violation of the law.

A cruise along the Kochi backwaters reveals the extent of violations as a number of structures can be seen jutting into the water body. Or a glance at the backwaters from the Kundannoor-Thevara bridge will reveal the story.

By law, the State Coastal Zone Management Authority should clear constructions in the CRZ area.

The local bodies in the coastal belt, while considering applications for construction, are expected to check the CRZ norms, says an authority member.

The authority recently wrote to the State Government and local bodies directing them to strictly deal with violations of CRZ guidelines, says its Chairman, E.P. Yasodharan.

B. Madhusoodana Kurup, member of the authority, says CRZ violations are rampant in the backwaters of the State, especially Kochi. These violations will damage the ecosystem of the water bodies and their pristine nature. It will cause irreparable damage to the environment of the backwaters, he adds.

The Maradu and Kumbalam panchayat areas, where a large number of violations is reportedly taking place, comes under category 3 of the CRZ guidelines. In such areas, the CRZ notification says, a width of 100 metres towards the landside from the high-tide line or the width of the backwaters, whichever is less, should be left as a no-development zone. However, several buildings dot the banks of the water bodies.

Large-scale constructions are in various stages of completion in these areas even as a State-wide drive against encroachment of Government land is on.

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