CRZ Compliance, Oil Spill Management Key To Coastal Investments
Legal compliance, environmental protection and marine oil spill preparedness should be integral to beachfront development along the East Coast Road, experts said at a coastal investment seminar.
Chengalpattu: Legal compliance, environmental protection and marine oil spill preparedness should be integral to beachfront development along the East Coast Road, experts said at a coastal investment seminar organised by Hubert Enviro Care Systems Ltd (HECS) in association with the Institute for Ocean Management (IOM), Anna University, at Mahabalipuram on Friday.
The seminar, titled “Unlocking Beachfront CRZ Investment Potentials in East Coast Road – Bayfront”, brought together legal experts, government regulators, scientists and industry representatives to discuss the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework and environmentally sustainable development of beachfront resorts.
Supreme Court advocate Siddhant Kohli explained the evolution of coastal regulations from the 1991 notification to the 2019 framework and highlighted the role of courts in enforcing environmental safeguards. He cautioned investors against commencing construction without obtaining mandatory clearances.
Dr. H. Kharkwal, Scientist-F, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, outlined the procedures for CRZ clearance, coastal classification and the role of State Coastal Zone Management Authorities.
HECS CEO Dr. J.R. Moses presented an eco-resort development model incorporating environmental safeguards and regulatory compliance. HECS also released a book, Approaching the Eco-Resort Concept, offering guidance to resort developers.
Highlighting marine oil spill preparedness, Jae-Soo Kim, CEO of South Korea-based Ever Green Plus Co. Ltd, discussed environmentally safe methods of removing oil from seawater, shorelines, ships and industrial sites.
Other speakers included IOM Director Dr. Krishnaveni Muthiah, IIT Madras professor Nilanjan Saha and former MoEFCC adviser Dr. M.V. Ramana Murthy, who discussed beachfront development, sea-level rise and shoreline management.
