States get greater say over coastal regions-Cabinet approval for easing of norms for development in CRZs follows a series of representations from stakeholders

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the CRZ Notification 2018, aimed at streamlining of Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ) clearances, enhancing activities in the coastal regions and promoting economic growth while keeping in mind conservation principles of coastal regions.
• The move comes against the backdrop of a series of representations received by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry from various coastal States and Union Territories, besides other stakeholders for a comprehensive review of the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011.

         Few exemptions

• According to the new notification, only such projects which are located in CRZ-I (Ecologically Sensitive Areas) and IV (area covered between Low Tide Line and 12 nautical miles seaward) will require the necessary clearance from the Union Ministry.
• The new notification also relaxed the No Development Zone (NDZ) criteria.
• For islands close to the mainland coast and for all backwater islands in the mainland, the new norms stipulate an NDZ of 20 metres.

         Tourism facilities

• The notification also permits temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc. in beaches.
• Such temporary tourism facilities are also now permissible in NDZ of the CRZ-III areas.
• Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation, the order said.

The Hindu