What does the Coastal Zone Management Plan for 10 coastal districts of Kerala entail?
The CZMP for 10 coastal districts in Kerala has been approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It aligns with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 2019, allowing for more relaxed development rules along the coast.
Approximately 10 lakh people may benefit from eased restrictions on housing and infrastructure development.
How has the no development zone, an area which is left untouched around tidal water bodies, been altered?
The no development zone (NDZ) around tidal water bodies has been decreased from 100 meters to 50 meters in many areas.
This change affects at least 122 local bodies, allowing more construction near these water bodies.
Some regions classified as CRZ-III A will see significant reductions in the NDZ, promoting development in crowded rural areas
Will the new plan affect mangrove forests?
Legal protections for mangrove forests have been weakened, with buffer zones around mangroves reduced significantly.
The reduction in protected areas may expose mangroves to development and exploitation.
These changes could threaten the health of mangrove ecosystems, which are vital for marine biodiversity and coastal protection.
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