New coastal management rules

The draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) notification published recently by the Ministry of Environment and Forests for public comments will replace the existing Costal Regulation Zone (CRZ) when it is finalised. Attempts to protect the coastal stretch started in 1991 when developments were regulated with respect to the high tide line. In 2004, the MoEF set up a committee under the Chairmanship of M.S. Swaminathan to review the existing rules and recommend changes and if ne cessary recast the coastal regulatory framework. In 2005, the committee suggested a scientific way to classify coastal zones and emphasised the idea of comprehensive management. Accordingly, the MoEF has proposed that the coastal zones be delineated with reference to a setback line based on the vulnerability of the coast to the sea-level rise and shoreline changes, amongst other parameters. The ideas of vulnerability line and management zones are the significant departures. However, the usefulness of the new set of rules would largely be determined by the commitment of the State governments and local bodies.

The State governments have the responsibility to prepare an integrated coastal development plan and function as a regulatory body. In the past, they did not take any major initiative until they were forced by the Supreme Court to submit the coastal plans. These plans were taken on record in 1996 with a directive that they be reworked. Till date, no State has submitted its revised plan and the status of the CRZs remains unclear. Now, they are expected to delineate new CMZs based on the proposed setback line that is yet to be identified. The notification hopes the line will be mapped by 2010. This implies that the States can draft their new plans only after 2010. Till then the 1991 rules will prevail and add to the confusion. The development authorities even in bigger cities such as Chennai find it difficult to regulate development along the coast. Without strengthening the capacity of coastal municipalities and panchayats not much can be achieved by just changing the rules. Regulation will improve when ideas such as the setback line are made easily implementable at the local level. Another issue of concern is the proposed cut-off year for sanctioning new construction on the seaward side. The notification specifies 2008, instead of 1991 when the rules were first notified. In the absence of clear documentation, this may be interpreted as regularising buildings and layouts that have violated the 1991 notification. More clarity, early mapping of the setback line, local participation and greater transparency have to be ensured if the new rules are to make a difference.