Mumbai, Saturday, dt. 26 January 2019

Daji Kolekar

Shelter is a basic need for everyone. But due to the increasing population, without considering the environment, humans encroached on nature and started building on the available space. Whether it is a beach or a river bank, a village, a farm or government land, the environment is endangered due to such wanton overcrowding. As a result, the government had to make laws in this regard. From that came the CRZ Act. It changed from time to time. This has created a situation where its original purpose is in jeopardy.

The Environment Protection Act came into existence in 1986 to protect the environment. CRZ i.e. Coastal Regulation Act was issued in 1991 through Rajpanna in relation to marine environment under section 3-1 and 3-2-5 of this Act. According to this, any construction within 500 meters of the high tide level was banned considering the tide coming to the beach. It was further pointed out that due to this law, there are difficulties in the construction of many settlements coming up in this area. Therefore, this law became a problem for many people. E.g. Koliwada in Mumbai, some residential houses on the beach in Konkan became difficult to rebuild. Considering that this and the coastal area should be developed, the government made some changes in the provisions of this Act from time to time. 2019 made a big change in it and divided it into CRZ zones 1, 2 and 3. 200 meters landward from the high tide line in the main sea area and 100 meters of river bays have been declared as 'No Development Zones'.

Subsequently, the Union Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment relaxed the provisions of the 2011 Act in the name of development. The idea of ​​developing Mumbai and Konkan coastal areas is coming forward. Our state is blessed with 720 km out of the 7517 km of the Indian coastline. As per the new provision in 2018, the limit of development area has been reduced to 50 meters. Due to this, this change will be applicable to all the areas in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Konkan area in the bay area and other places in the state where there are river mouths and bay areas. A management plan will be prepared by the local bodies for the development works in this area.

Changes in the CRZ Act from time to time may defeat the original purpose and pose a threat to the environment. If relaxation of conditions leads to overcrowding in the area and subsequent tsunami-like disasters, who is responsible? Many such questions remain unanswered. Environmental conservation is the need of the hour. Therefore, the provisions in the CAZ can be fatal to ecological development.

* The Environment Protection Act came into existence in 1986 to protect the environment.

* Regarding marine environment, CRZ i.e. Coastal Regulation Act was promulgated in 1991 through Gazette.

* The Union Department of Forests and Environment amended the provisions of the 2019 Act in the name of development.