PUDUCHERRY: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has re-constituted the seven-member Puducherry Coastal Zone Management Authority (PCZMA) with S. Sundaravadivelou, Secretary, Department of Environment of the territorial administration, as chairman, for a period of three years.
The authority has been given the responsibility to examine proposals for changes or modification in classification of Coastal Regulation Zone areas and in the Coastal Zone Management Plan received from the territorial administration and making specific recommendations from coastal regulation point of view in accordance with the provisions of the notification issued by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. It can enquire into cases of alleged environmental violations and issue appropriate directions, according to the notification issued by the Ministry.
Another role vested with the Authority was to identify ecologically sensitive areas, including places highly vulnerable to sea erosion, within the Coastal Regulation Zone and formulate coastal management plan for the specified area. Apart from identifying the sensitive areas and formulating action plan, the Authority should arrange for fund to implement the management plan, the notification said.
The PCZMA should furnish details of its activities at least once in six months to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority and the Ministry. A dedicated website to maintain transparency in the working of the Authority should be formed and all details such as agenda of meetings held, minutes of meetings, decisions taken, clearance letters, violations, actions taken on violations and cases pending in courts should be posted on the website.
Other members of the Authority included Rajalakshmi, director, Department of Fisheries; M. Dwarakanath, Member Secretary of Puducherry Pollution Control Committee; R. Ramesh, director, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai; scientist M.V. Ramana Murthy of the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai; and Jurgen Putz, director of Palmyra, Auroville.
Source: The Hindu,3rd August, 2012