EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Preparation of Coastal Zone Management Plan with reference to the
CRZ Notification 2011
As per the provisions of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 published by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi, the Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu have been entrusted with the responsibility of preparation of the Coastal Zone management Plans of the coastal area of the State through agencies authorized by the MoEF&CC, New Delhi. Accordingly, the work of preparation of draft CZMPs for all the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu was entrusted to the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM),Chennai, who is an authorized agency approved by the GoI, for the said purpose.
The NCSCM, Chennai have completed the job of the preparation of draft CZMPs of all the 13 Coastal districts of Tamil Nadu as per the guidelines of CRZ Notification 2011. As per the annexure I, Para IV (a) of CRZ Notification 2011, the said draft CZMPs will be published on the Website and the ENVIS Centre of Department of Environment (http://www.environment.tn.nic.in) and (http://tnenvis.nic.in) on 19.02.2018, inviting suggestions / objections, if any, of all the Departments/ local communities/ NGO’s etc.
In this regard, it is informed that the Coastal Zone Management Plan in 1: 25000 scale for all the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu have been prepared as per the following and other guidelines of CRZ Notification 2011 and the said draft Plan consists of 115 Sheets indicating CRZ I (Ecological Sensitive Area), CRZ II (Developed Area), CRZ III (undeveloped area), CRZ IV (Water Area), Cadastral information, etc.,
CRZ Notification 2011
Para 7: Classification of the CRZ – For the purpose of conserving and protecting
the coastal area and marine waters, the CRZ area shall be classified as follows,namely:-
(i) CRZ-I,–
A. The area that are ecologically sensitive and the geomorphological features which play a role in maintaining the integrity of the coast,-
(a) Mangroves, in case mangrove area is more than 1000 sq mts, a buffer of
50metersalong the mangroves shall be provided;
(b) Corals and coral reefs and associated biodiversity;
(c) Sand Dunes;
(d) Mudflats which are biologically active;
(e) National parks, marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats and
other protected area under the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
(53 of 1972), the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980) or the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986); including the Biosphere
Reserves;
(f) Salt Marshes;
(g) Turtle nesting grounds;
(h) Horse shoe crabs habitats;
(i) Sea grass beds;
(j) Nesting grounds of birds;
(k) Areas or structures of archaeological importance and heritage sites.
B. The area between the Low Tide Line and the High Tide Line;
(ii) CRZ-II,-
The area that have been developed upto or close to the shoreline.
Explanation.-
For the purposes of the expression, “the developed area” is referred to as that area within the existing municipal limits or in other existing legally designated urban area which are substantially built-up and has been provided with drainage and approach roads and other infrastructural facilities, such as water supply and sewerage mains;
(iii) CRZ-III,
Area that are relatively undisturbed and those do not belong to either CRZ-I or II which include coastal zone in the rural area (developed and undeveloped) and also area within the municipal limits or in other legally designated urban area, which are not substantially builtup.
(iv) CRZ-IV,
A. the water area from the Low Tide Line to twelve nautical miles on the seaward side;
B. shall include the water area of the tidal influenced water body from the mouth of the water body at the sea upto the influence of tide which is measured as five parts per thousand during the driest season of the year.
(v) Critical Vulnerable Coastal Area (CVCA)
Areas requiring special consideration for the purpose of protecting the critical coastal environment and difficulties faced by local communities and other Ecologically Sensitive areas like Gulf of Mannar identified as under Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and managed with the involvement of Coastal communities including fisher folk.
Hence, all the stakeholders including the institutions/public/NGOs etc., are requested to submit the suggestions/objections, if any, in writing in English (or) Tamil to the Department of Environment, Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai -15 on the said draft CZMPs within 45 days from the date of publication of these draft CZMPs and to reach the Department of Environment such a way on or before 06.04.2018.