The Maharashtra government has urged the Center to relax Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to pave way for development projects after surveying 2,133 villages across 12 districts, covering 17,000 square km stretch, uniformly notified as ecologically sensitive zone by the Kasturirangan Committee. The state government’s plea to the ministry of environment and forests is to adopt a pragmatic approach based on factual satellite images to pave the way for development in villages that are not eco-sensitive, especially in coastal stretch of Konkan. It has submitted a report based on satellite imagery to strengthen its arguments to open up the area for development. Announcing a package of Rs 3,055 crore for development of Konkan region, Fadnavis has rolled out a dozen projects -sea world, bed and breakfast tourism, mega-food park, agro-industries and a green refinery for development of Konkan. The Mumbai-Goa highway will also extend 35 km inroads to connect through Ambadve village, the birthplace of BR Ambedkar. The chief minister said the MoEF, after weighing the status village wise, would certainly relax CRZ norms to pave the way for development in Konkan. He, however, cautioned, The government is not going to compromise on concerns related to environment. However, where there is no threat to ecology, we cannot withhold development. He added, Adequate consultations with gram sabhas and public fora took place in a mammoth exercise that lasted for more than 12 months. Of the 2,133 villages across Maharashtra, 484 across Sindhudurg (192) and Ratnagiri (292) have failed to develop because of the eco-sensitive tag. The CM’s development plank in Konkan is politically significant as it won him applause from rival Congress, NCP and silenced alliance partner Shiv Sena, which prides itself in holding the reins of the region. Fadnavis’s decision to go the extra mile in Konkan has been perceived as a long-term strategy to make inroads for the BJP, which has remained weak in the coastal region. Stating that an independent statutory board for Konkan region is confronted with constitutional hurdles, he said, We will appeal to the Center to provide a special package for the holistic development of the region. Outlining important projects, he said, We will complete the 350 acres of land acquisition for sea world’ project, which has been curtailed from 1,390 acres following protests. An integrated mega-food park, work on the Panvel-Indapur 84-km highway, a green refinery that promises Rs 1 lakh crore investment, and 1 lakh employment are some of the projects envisaged for transforming the face of Konkan region. A Konkan Development Tourism Corporation will be set up to promote the sector. The region received 3.45 lakh foreign tourists, registering an increase of 35,000, compared to last year.
2016 The Indian Express [P] Ltd.