THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has approved the coastal management plan given by the state of Kerala for the relaxation of construction restrictions on the sea and backwaters. About 10 lakh people in 66 panchayats in 10 coastal districts will be benefitted. Houses up to 300 square metres can get construction permits directly from local bodies.

The relaxation was given to 66 panchayats which had additional restrictions on constructions. Kerala's demand to shift these panchayats from CRZ-3 to CRZ-2, which has less control, was accepted.

CRZ-2 is the least regulated area under the Coastal Regulation Zone Act. It consists of municipal and corporation areas. Most of the grama panchayats along the Kerala coast have an urban character in terms of population density and infrastructure. In a press release, the Chief Minister said that he has asked the Centre to notify 175 more such panchayats as urban areas and include them in CRZ-2.

Of the 31 panchayats in CRZ-3A, 20 have been shifted to CRZ-2. With this, there are 11 panchayats left in CRZ-3A.

The development-restricted zone in CRZ-3A has been reduced to 50 metres from the tide line of the sea. It was 200 meters earlier. For inland water bodies, this distance limit has been reduced from 100 metres to 50 metres. The non-development zone is not applicable in the areas declared as part of the port.

A buffer area of 50 metres will be implemented around government mangroves with more than 1000 square meters of area. Mangroves of private individuals will not have a buffer zone.

Exempted Districts

Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram