High-level panel on CRZ will address Kerala's concerns

The high-level committee set up to look into demands from several coastal states for easing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms would examine and address concerns raised by Kerala Government.

"We met the Chief Minister (and others). They shared their concern. We will examine their concerns," Chairman and Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr Shailesh Nayak said told reporters here when asked if any amendments were being contemplated with regard to CRZ Notification 2011.

The committee members on Friday held discussions with Oommen Chandy and concerned ministers and officials at Thiruvananthapuram during which the Chief Minister stressed the need to address the genuine concerns of the tourism industry without compromising the environment or affecting the traditional rights of coastal communities in the state.

Besides Kerala, Karnataka, Maharahstra, and Gujarat have also approached the seven-member committee.

"We need to listen to all the concerned states within couple of months. We will address the concerns in a manner in which the ecology sensitive areas are preserved and concerns of coastal communities are also addressed," Nayak said.

The committee was constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to review the CRZ notification 2011 on the basis of amendments sought by various states.