pdf - Ministry of Environment and Forests

landscaping in the NDZ by dressing of sand dunes, live fencing along the resorts and
permitted playfields but not swimming pools in the NDZ.
Vide the same amendment dated 8 th August, 1994, the Ministry prohibited flattening
of sand dunes in the CRZ area, while maintaining status quo as in CRZ Notification with
regard to height and Floor Space Index (FSI), subject to ground+one only. For the
construction of basement, NOC was to be obtained from the Ground Water Board. Public
access between two resorts was suggested as 6 mts by the Committee, however the Ministry
maintained 20 metre distance between two resorts.
1.2.2 Prof. N. Balakrishnan Nair Committee - on issues relating to Kerala on Coastal
Regulation Zone
The Balakrishnan Nair Committee which was constituted on 30 th December, 1996
recommended inclusion of census towns and panchayats, which are substantially built up to
be declared as urban areas (CRZ-II). The extent of CRZ area in case of inland tidal water
bodies to be relaxed, to permit all ports and harbour constructions and port related industries.
However, the Ministry took no action with regard to these suggestions. The report also
recommended storage of petroleum products in CRZ which was considered by the Ministry
and an amendment was issued on 9 th July, 1997 after obtaining the views of Ministry of
Petroleum & Natural Gas. The Committee also recommended reclamation to be made
permissible for the approved projects, which the Ministry did not consider. It also
recommended locating non-polluting industries, relaxation for tourism potential areas and
construction of fishermen houses in 200-500 mts. These recommendations were not
considered by the Ministry. The Committee also recommended drawl of ground water
between 0-200 metres by manual method, which was considered in the amendment dated 9 th
July, 1997. The report recommended setting up fish processing units. But the Ministry in its
amendment dated 9 th July, 1997 amended the Notification permitting modernizing of the fish
processing units and setting up of effluent treatment plants for such existing plants. The
report also suggested reduction of CRZ to 50 mts along tidal water bodies keeping in view
the unique conditions of Kerala. However, the Ministry took no action in this regard. The
amendment of 9 th July, 1997 has been challenged in the High Court of Delhi since
suggestions/objections from the public had been waived off while issuing the said
amendment. The matter is subjudice as on today.
1.2.3 Fr. Saldanha Committee (I) - to advice on withdrawal of groundwater and extraction
of sand in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Committee which was constituted on 5 th December, 1996 and submitted its report
in January, 1997. The report recommended extraction of groundwater extraction by manual
method in 50-200 metres from the HTL for local communities of Andaman & Nicobar
Islands.
With regard to mining of sand the Committee recommended mining of sand in the
CRZ area for a short period for 1-2 years only, since the sand was of coral origin, which takes
several years for formation. The rate of replenishme nt of this biological sand is very slow.
Based on the recommendations of the Saldanha Committee, the Ministry amended the
Notification by permitting mining of sand in the CRZ area, and thereafter MoEF has been
periodically extending on yearly basis. The recent ICZM studies carried out by the Institute
for Ocean Management, Chennai has indicated severe adverse impact due to sand mining.
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