Curbs on coastal zone norms will boost our economy: Karnataka CM Bommai

“Approvals by CRZ in Goa and Kerala have made it easy for the growth of hotels and tourism development. In the same way, we also made serious attempts to expand CRZ in the state. We have received approvals from the zonal office in Chennai. By this, the entire 330 km coastline will help in the development of the Karavali region (coastal region), economic growth, tourism, fisheries among others,” Bommai said in Delhi on Monday.

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the zonal office of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) has given approvals for development along the state’s 330 kms of coastlines, which would make the region conducive to economic growth and tap tourism potential.

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the zonal office of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) has given approvals for development along the state’s 330 kms of coastlines. (ANI)

“Approvals by CRZ in Goa and Kerala have made it easy for the growth of hotels and tourism development. In the same way, we also made serious attempts to expand CRZ in the state. We have received approvals from the zonal office in Chennai. By this, the entire 330 km coastline will help in the development of the Karavali region (coastal region), economic growth, tourism, fisheries among others,” Bommai said in Delhi on Monday.

The statements come at a time when Bommai has been making multiple trips to New Delhi to meet with Union ministers to seek approval for various projects ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.

Karnataka has long tried to get necessary approvals to expand businesses in the coastal areas, which are largely untapped except for a few beaches in three districts.

Bommai said that he would meet with Union ministers again to get all necessary approvals to boost development in the coastal districts.

Karnataka has made several attempts in the past to get CRZ norms relaxed along the coastline, which restricts commercial activities within 500 metres of the high-tide line.

The region, which gets heavy rainfall, is also a haven for tourists and pilgrims in peak season, accounting for a significant portion of the economy in the coastal belt.

There are 319 major tourist destinations in Karnataka, the highest in India, and the fourth most visited destination in the country, according to the government.

But like other states with long coastlines, Karnataka has seen unregulated commercial activities in ecologically sensitive zones, adding to the threat of depleting natural resources and pollution.

“It is to be understood that though CRZ regulations were there before the 1990s, it couldn’t control the unauthorized developments along the shoreline, because the High Tidal Lines were not fixed. The districts in the eco-sensitive zones are losing their flora and fauna,” according to the 2021-22 Karnataka economic survey.

The state government has also opposed the Union government’s draft rules around the Western Ghats, stating that it would adversely impact the economy of the state.

The Karnataka government last Friday reiterated its stand to oppose the draft rules notified by the Centre on the Western Ghats, stating that implementation of the ecological sensitive zones (ESZ) rules would impact the state’s economic interests.

The Western Ghats is one of the 36 biggest biodiversity hotspots on the planet and traverses through six states, from Gujarat to Kerala, covering an area of 160,000 square kms and constituting 5% of India’s geographical extent.

Bommai on Monday submitted a letter to Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for environment, forest & climate change, opposing the draft rules.

“The Government of India has now issued the 5th Draft Notification vide S.O.3072(E), dated 6th July 2022. The contents of the Notification are identical to the ones issued earlier. It fails to take into account the ground realities and address the livelihood concerns of the local population. The Notification is also silent on the financial package recommended by Dr Kasturirangan Committee to pay for the ecological services rendered by the Western Ghats,” Bommai said in his letter.

“It may be appreciated that for the State, out of the total area of about 20,668 sq. kms recommended by the Committee, already 16,632 sq. kms is under some form of protection either as Protected Areas, Notified Forests or ESZ. Therefore, imposing more restrictions on these areas would negate the objectives of conservation and could be counter-productive,” he added.