Recently, it was reported that two of India’s most iconic personalities, Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan, had received permission to expand their Mumbai bungalows. Thanks to the dilution of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) laws. The news has sparked a lot of debate and controversy, with many arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for environmental protection in India.
What and Why CRZ?
First, it’s important to understand what the CRZ laws are and why they were put in place. India has a long coastline, and the CRZ laws were enacted to protect and preserve the country’s coastal environment, which includes beaches, mangroves, and other fragile ecosystems. The laws regulate activities such as construction, mining, and tourism within a certain distance from the high-tide line, in order to prevent damage to the environment.
The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is a set of laws and regulations enacted by the Indian government to protect and preserve the country’s coastal environment. The regulations were put in place in 1991 and were later amended in 2011 and 2019.
The CRZ laws regulate activities such as construction, mining, and tourism within a certain distance from the high-tide line, in order to prevent damage to the environment. The laws were enacted to protect and preserve the country’s coastal environment, which includes beaches, mangroves, and other fragile ecosystems.
“…While supporters argue that it will lead to greater economic growth and development, opponents argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for environmental protection in India…”
CRZ regulation zones
In Maharashtra, the CRZ laws have been divided into four categories – CRZ I, CRZ II, CRZ III, and CRZ IV. The CRZ I areas are the most sensitive and include areas such as mangroves, coral reefs, and breeding areas for sea turtles. The CRZ II areas are relatively less sensitive, and the CRZ III areas are already developed and have no ecological sensitivity. The CRZ IV areas are primarily rural and are intended to support local communities and their livelihoods.
The Maharashtra government has put in place several measures to ensure the effective implementation of the CRZ laws. These measures include the creation of Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) for each coastal district, the establishment of a Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) to oversee the implementation of the CRZ laws, and the requirement for obtaining clearances from the CZMA before undertaking any activity within the CRZ areas.
The dilution of CRZ rules
However, in 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) made some significant changes to the CRZ laws. These changes were criticized by environmentalists and experts. Several petitioners filed multiple petitions challenging the CRZ dilution in the Bombay High Court. Later, these petitions were referred to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for review.
As per the new notification, the no development zone (NDZ) along the seashore has been reduced from 200 meters to 50 meters. While the CRZ zone along the rivers has been lowered from 100 meters to 50 meters. One of the major changes was the reduction of the CRZ area from 500 meters to 100 meters from the high-tide line, in densely populated urban areas. This change allowed for greater construction and development in these areas, which had previously been restricted.
The dilution of the CRZ laws has been a subject of much debate and controversy, with some arguing that it will lead to greater economic growth and development, while others argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for environmental protection in India.
Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalows are located in Juhu, a densely populated area in Mumbai, and it is believed that they were granted permission to expand their properties due to the dilution of the CRZ laws. Tendulkar’s bungalow, which is spread over 8,000 square feet, is reportedly being expanded to 10,000 square feet, while Bachchan’s bungalow, which is spread over 10,125 square feet, is reportedly being expanded to 20,000 square feet.
Mixed reaction to the CRZ dilution
The news of their expansions has drawn criticism from environmentalists and activists, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for environmental protection in India. They argue that diluting the CRZ laws in densely populated areas will lead to more construction and development. Hence, will ultimately harm the environment. They also argue that the expansions of Tendulkar and Bachchan’s properties will set a bad example for others to follow. Furthermore, it sends the message that environmental laws can be bent or broken for the sake of personal gain.
On the other hand, supporters of the dilution of the CRZ laws argue that it will lead to greater economic growth and development in urban areas, which will ultimately benefit the country as a whole. They argue that the expansions of Tendulkar and Bachchan’s properties will create jobs and boost the local economy. And, that it is unfair to deny them the opportunity to expand their properties when others are being allowed to do so. However, Tendulkar and Bachchan’s bungalows are not the only properties to benefit from the CRZ dilution. Several other high-profile residents, including the Ambani family and actor Shah Rukh Khan, have also been granted permission to expand their properties.
Conclusion
The CRZ laws are an important set of regulations that help protect and preserve India’s coastal environment. However, the dilution of the CRZ laws and the permission granted to Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan to expand their Mumbai bungalows has sparked a lot of debate and controversy. The supporters argue that it will lead to greater economic growth and development. The opponents argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for environmental protection in India.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how the dilution of the CRZ laws will impact the country’s coastal environment. And, whether the expansions of Tendulkar and Bachchan’s properties will lead to further development and construction in the area.
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