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Introduction
Objectives
Methodology
Ecologically
Important Areas
Information
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Introduction:
Coastal
plains and seas include the most taxonomically rich and productive ecosystems
on the earth. Although together occupying only 8% of the total surface, they account
for 20-25% of global plant growth. Mangrove forests are over 20 times more productive
than the average open ocean. Estuaries, salt marshes and coral reefs are 5-15
times higher and shelf seas and upwelling zones 2-5 times higher. These enhanced
rates of primary production results in an abundance of other life forms, including
many species of commercial importance. Coastal shelf seas yield 90% of the total
marine catch of fish, crustaceans and edible molluscs.
Further,
the coastal zone is also a dynamic area with many cyclic and random processes
owing to a variety of resources and habitats. Nearly three quarters of the world
population lives on the coast and is found to be true in India also. India has
a coastline of 7,500 km with many sprawling and still growing coastal sites. The
coastal region is thus a place of hectic human activity, followed by intense urbanization,
resulting in human interference of rapid development.
The
coastal ecosystems are now highly disturbed and very much threatened, encountering
problems like pollution, siltation, and erosion, flooding saltwater intrusion,
storm surges and other activities due to ever expanding human settlements. Under
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification
was issued in 1991. Through this notification, the Government of India directed
the coastal States to prepare Coastal Zone Management Plans with High Tide Line,500m-regulation
line, other boundaries, etc…for approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MoEF). By the said notification, the coastal areas were classified into four
categories. i.e. CRZ - I,CRZ - II, CRZ - III and CRZ - IV. The ecologically sensitive
areas and areas of extraordinary natural beauty are included under CRZ - I, where
no activity is allowed. The coastal stretches of urban and developed areas are
categorized under CRZ II. In this category, buildings are permitted on the landward
side of the existing structures. The areas, which do not come under CRZ - I and
II are included in CRZ - III where no construction is permitted up to 200 m from
the high tide line. The Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and other small
islands are categorized in CRZ - IV. To implement the CRZ notification, we need
to identify the Ecologically Important Areas. Since no efforts were taken before
to identify the ecologically important areas along the coast, the present study
has been taken up. In the present study, ecologically important areas are identified
and the location map and information about these sites are collected and compiled.
The Ecologically Important coastal areas are identified based on following
criteria:
- Occurrence
of specialized ecosystems or habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs Sea grass,
seaweed beds, Salt marsh etc.
-
Occurrence of breading or nesting sites of marine animals such turtles.
-
Occurrence of uninhabited and unexplored islands.
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Occurrence of endemic or endangered marine fauna or flora.
Necessary
guidelines for managing these areas are to be developed. The identified and designated
Ecologically Important Areas (EIA's) will be declared as no-development zones.
Management plans for these areas will be prepared by scientific institutions and
approved by the NCZMA. The developed plan will be implemented by the concerned
State/UT Authorities. Such a management strategy will ensure the sustainable development
and management of coastal areas and their resources. |
