Context:

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved the Coastal Zone Management Plan for 10 coastal districts of Kerala.

More on News: 

• Implementation Timeline: The Ministry has given one month to make signed copies available on the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority website.
• Legal Framework: The plan aligns with the provisions of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, enabling relaxed CRZ rules.

About the Coastal Zone Management Plan

• Core Objective: To conserve and protect the unique coastal environment while promoting sustainable development.
• Scientific Basis: Incorporates scientific principles to address natural hazards and sea level rise due to global warming.
• Demographic Consideration: Accounts for Kerala's high population density of 859 persons per square kilometre, more than double the national average.
• Administrative Scope: Affects five corporations, 36 municipalities, and 245 grama panchayats across 10 districts.
• Implementing Body: Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority will oversee the implementation.

Key Provisions of Kerala’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP)

Zone Classifications: coastline is categorised into four zones under the CRZ Notification 2019:

• CRZ-I: Ecologically sensitive areas where no construction is allowed, protecting fragile ecosystems like mangroves and wetlands.
• CRZ-II: Urban areas permitting regulated development on the landward side of existing structures, supporting controlled urban growth.
• CRZ-III: Rural areas allowing limited development to support local economies while prioritising natural landscapes.
• CRZ-IV: Water zones, including seas and backwaters, where fishing, navigation, and aquaculture activities are regulated to minimise environmental impact.

No Development Zone (NDZ): The NDZ has been reduced from 100 meters to 50 meters around tidal-influenced water bodies, providing more flexibility for development while preserving necessary coastal buffers.

Building and Height Restrictions: The CZMP enforces height limits and shoreline setbacks, preventing coastal erosion and ensuring that development remains visually and ecologically balanced.

Special Provisions for Agriculture: Adaptations are made for traditional agricultural practices such as Pokkali rice farming in Kerala. Here, pre-existing bunds are considered as High Tide Lines, easing development restrictions and supporting sustainable farming.

Coastal Ecosystem Protection: Specific measures are included to safeguard critical ecosystems like mangroves, wetlands, and other biodiversity hotspots that act as natural coastal barriers.

• Mangrove buffer zones have been reduced to 2,500 hectares (down from 4,300 hectares), especially on private lands, to balance ecosystem protection with development needs.

Major Changes Compared to CRZ 2011 Notification

• Reduced NDZ Coverage: Total NDZ area decreased from 239.431 sq km to 108.397 sq km, allowing for more controlled development.
• Mangrove Buffer Adjustments: Reduced buffer zones around mangroves, especially on private holdings, which raises concerns about maintaining adequate protections for these vital ecosystems.
• Flexible Regulations: Easier construction regulations for certain zones, streamlining processes for obtaining permits and reducing development constraints in designated areas.

Benefits

• Coastal Coverage: Impacts Kerala's 590 km coastline spanning nine of its 14 districts.
• Population Coverage: Expected to benefit approximately 10 lakh people directly. The plan directly affects high-density coastal populations and their development needs.
• Economic Implications: Opens up new opportunities for coastal development and construction.
• Administrative Efficiency: Streamlines the process for obtaining construction permits.

Challenges

• Environmental Degradation: The reduction of No Development Zones (NDZ) and relaxed mangrove buffers, especially on private lands, could accelerate habitat loss and reduce natural barriers, increasing vulnerability to coastal erosion and storms.
• Development Pressure: Looser regulations may prompt rapid urbanisation and commercial activities in urban (CRZ-II) and rural (CRZ-III) areas, risking pollution, strained infrastructure, and ecosystem imbalance.
• Climate Vulnerability: Reduced protective zones heighten Kerala’s exposure to climate impacts like sea level rise, storm surges, and flooding, which could disproportionately impact densely populated coastal areas.
• Impact on Local Livelihoods: Expanding development and tourism can disrupt traditional fishing and farming communities, leading to socio-economic displacement and cultural erosion.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Local Governance and Monitoring: Equip local bodies with resources, training, and technology (e.g., GIS, satellite monitoring) to effectively monitor development and enforce CZMP regulations.
• Enhanced Mangrove and Ecosystem Protections: Promote mangrove restoration projects and incentivise conservation efforts on private lands to strengthen natural barriers against erosion and storm impacts.
• Integrated Waste Management: Implement coastal waste management systems, especially for tourism and construction sites, to reduce pollution. Mandate waste management protocols for new developments.
• Community Engagement and Climate Awareness: Increase community involvement in CZMP planning through workshops and forums, fostering public support and raising awareness about sustainable practices and coastal resilience.