The Hindu 28.06.2011
Coastal zone authority topenalise Kochi Corporation
Sources in the authority said the penalty would be decided as per provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 after assessing the extent of damage inflicted by the corporation on the site.
It is learnt that the authority will issue a notice to the Kochi Corporation asking them why action should not be taken for violation of the Environment (Protection) Act and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
It will also prepare an action plan on how to bring back the site to its original condition.
The move is part of the follow-up action being initiated by the Authority based on a report submitted by an expert committee that revealed gross violations of the CRZ norms for carrying out the project.
The expert committee had used time-series satellite images compiled by the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) to assess the ecological damage on the mangroves in the area, which comes under the CRZ-1 and IV (aquatic areas).
It was also found that around three acres of land was reclaimed using red earth.
The report pointed out that the site is a CRZ-1 area considering various factors including the presence of mangroves and the influence of the tide.
Sources said that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had made it clear that setting up of sewage treatment plants in CRZ-1 and CRZ-4 areas was not permissible.
It had earlier pulled up the Mumbai Municipal Corporation in a similar case.
