Over 100 buildings in Kerala violate coastal zone regulations rules

KOCHI: It is not a case of four buildings facing demolition, said environment scientists and officials at Kerala State Coastal Zone Management Authority (

KCZMA

). There are over 100 buildings in the state, most of them in Kochi, that have violated

coastal zone regulations

, said officials.

“There are over 100 buildings across Kerala who have violated

CRZ

rules and that range of violation varies. Of the lot, most are located in and around Ernakulam. We found that 13 buildings violated CRZ violations in Chilavanoor lake area alone and in Maradu municipality there are 25 buildings,” said an environment scientist and an official associated with KCZMA.

Other CRZ violations are in Alappuzha,

Kovalam

, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kottayam and Thrissur, the official said. It is the local self-government (LSG) bodies including the panchayat, municipality and corporation officials who permit such constructions, violating CRZ rules. It happens without KCZMA’s nod, he said.

“Many cases of CRZ violations do not come before KCZMA. Only on getting complaints of CRZ violations or when applications are received for CRZ permit, KCZMA can recommend action,” said KCZMA chairperson and principal secretary (environment department) Usha Titus. KCZMA’s institutional capacity is limited as they can only recommend action while getting complaints of CRZ violations, she said.

If you peruse the rules no construction is allowed in 100m from the high tide line, it is a no development zone (NDZ). Only reconstruction or repair work of existing residential building is permitted provided the applicant is from the coastal community. Yet there are CRZ violations in NDZ too, said the official at KCZMA.

According to CRZ rules, the overall height of a residential building cannot exceed 9m or go beyond two floors in CRZ-III area beyond NDZ (200m from HTL). Such violations are reported and action is recommended, an official said.

A senior advocate of the Supreme Court explained that the demolition verdict in Maradu municipality came because the builders did not obtain clearance from KCZMA. “The builders colluded with LSG department official, while CRZ authorities were totally kept in the dark. LSG official and these builders should be prosecuted. Now, occupants of the flats will proceed against the builders,” he said.

Many CRZ violations are pending in high court, in addition to cases at National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court, said the KCZMA official.

Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies vice-chancellor A Ramachandran, who served as KCZMA member, said the delay in crackdown against CRZ violators led to repeat violations. Delay in action by the district or LSG authorities give CRZ violators the time to file an appeal in court. It’s a vicious cycle that dissolves the spirit of the CRZ notification, he said.