Acehtsunami

Coastal areas in India are extensive and support some of the most diverse and valuable coastal resources. These rich coastal biodiversity and their invaluable support to multiple uses of human activities for many centuries present a challenge to managers/planners and developers of these areas in the many ways these areas are conserved and developed.

The richness of biodiversity, the large variation in the types of coastal zones within a state, varied human populations and diverse regional economies among regions within states are some of the main reasons why the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 1991 came into play.

While acknowledging the difficulties in implementing the regulations and the need to develop a better and more robust notification, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has announced a draft ‘Coastal Management Zone Notification, 2008’ that would come into force after considering comments and oppositions, received by June 30, 2008. It is envisaged that the new notification would replace the 1991 CRZ notification and contain various plans on how coastal areas will be managed.

The stated objective of the proposed Costal Management Zone (CMZ) notification of 2008 is “protection and sustainable development of the coastal stretches and marine environment through sustainable coastal zone management practices based on sound scientific principles taking into account the vulnerability of the coast to natural hazards, sustainable livelihood security for local communities, and conservation of ecologically and culturally significant coastal resources.”

While addressing this, it is important to remember coastal systems extend beyond jurisdictional boundaries and are affected by local users and decisions made by different levels of government. The management of coastal systems thus requires many agencies, at different levels to be involved. The system is highly interconnected and no single agency has the necessary controls.

We would like to initiate a discussion amongst members of the Water and Disaster Management Communities and invite recommendations and suggestions on providing sensible and scientifically valid solutions for managing various conflicting interests in coastal areas and on regulatory mechanisms.

Keeping this in mind, members could begin by considering the implications on the following:

· Biodiversity conservation

· Land use changes

· Coastal and fisheries livelihood

· CRZ vs. CMZ

· Collective and individual role and responsibility of the various government agencies in ICZM