The moratorium for sand mining and power projects in these districts had come into effect in August 2010. This is in accordance with the new CRZ, which state that there can be no mining activities in areas near creeks and mangrove forests. There is, however, no restriction on mining in non-CRZ areas, which include river beds.
Developers have welcomed the move as they had been lobbying for the easing of the ban on the grounds that there was a huge shortage of sand, which is required for construction purposes.
The new CRZ notification divides coastal areas into four zones: CRZ 1 that includes mangroves, sand dunes, mudflats, national park sanctuaries and salt marshes; CRZ 2 has areas developed close to the shoreline; CRZ 3 covers zones that do not fall under CRZ 1 and 2; and CRZ 4 includes 'water areas' from the low tide line up to 12 nautical miles on the seaward side. Read the full report here.
Source: Viju B, TNN, Mumbai.
