Preserving Coastal Ecosystem
The Central Government has enacted legislations like the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for protection and conservation of Environment, Forest and Wildlife area of the country. The Government has also issued the Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with a view to inter-alia ensure livelihood security to the fisher communities and other local communitiesliving in the coastal areas, to conserve and protect coastal stretches and its unique environment and its marine areas.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) implements Centrally Sponsored Schemes namely, ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems’ for conservation and management of wetlands; ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reef’ for protection, conservation and management of mangroves and coral reef; and ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for conservation and management of Protected Areas in the country.
The details of fund allocated during the last three years for the aforesaidSchemes are as under:
Schemes | Year (₹ in Crores) | ||
2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | |
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems | 4.12 | 9.11 | 4.70 |
Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reef | 9.55 | 15.84 | 7.62 |
Development of Wildlife Habitats | 165.00 | 180.00 | 100.00 |
The Government has also implemented Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), a World Bank Assisted project, in identified stretches of Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal from 2010 to 2020 with a purpose of protecting and conserving coastal and marine environment of the country. This includes development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, prevention of soil erosion, shelterbelt plantation, mangrove plantation, strengthening requirements for ecosystem monitoring, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood of coastal communities.
Further, MoEFCC approved the proposal for National Coastal Management Programme under Direct Budgetary Support of ₹87 Crores for the FY 2021-22 to 2025-26.The budgetary allocation for the purpose for FY 2019-20, FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 is ₹ 75 Crores, ₹61 Crores and ₹22 Crores respectively.
With a view to protect and conserve the environment and control and abate pollution in coastal beaches and sea waters, the Ministry has identified beaches for the purpose of internationally recognized ‘Blue Flag’ Certification. Blue Flag Certification Standards call for responsible and sustainable amenities and infrastructure development, cleanliness, safety and security services etc.
The Ministry has provided assistance to the tune of ₹101.17 Crores for development of environment friendly infrastructure and support systems at 10 beaches namely; Ghoghla (Diu), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Kasarkod & Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala) Kovalam (Tamil Nadu), Eden (Puducherry), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Island). These beaches are notified zones for "No Plastic", "No Dumping", "No Driving" and promotes “Zero Waste" "Zero Pollution" concept.
The State Government had provided peripheral support activities such as access road, parking facility, electric & Water supply, storage tank, fencing, plantation etc. All above beaches have been handed over to the respective State /UT Government. Maintaining cleanliness of beaches is the responsibility of State/UT Governments and local municipal authorities. These beaches have been conferred with internationally recognized Blue Flag Certification.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a writ
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