The Coastal Regulation Zone 2019 notification maps have been alleged to have not just avoided mentioning some turtle nesting sites but have been released even before the fishing hamlets and villages were mapped by the fisheries department. This, activists and fishermen said, was done to make it easier to approve beach beautification projects.
K Saravanan, a coastal protection activist and fisherman from Urur Kuppam, said that they have petitioned the fisheries director who has ordered mapping of all fishing communities and villages. “Fish breeding areas, fishing zones and long term housing plan are not part of these maps. Also, only 10% of the fishing villages are part of these maps. Without completion of mapping exercise, how could the environment department release the maps,” he said.