TN urges Centre to clear mega tourism projects

CHENNAI, SEPT 28: In the Visit India Year (1999), the State Government has pressed the button to get clearances from the Centre for mega ...

CHENNAI, SEPT 28: In the Visit India Year (1999), the State Government has pressed the button to get clearances from the Centre for mega tourism projects along the East Coast Road.

Sources told The Indian Express that the TN Government has submitted proposals to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to obtain environmental approval, since they all fall in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). A number of private promoters have applied for permission to put up beach resorts, five star hotels and golf courses along the East Coast. These projects can get approval only after the Centre clears the environmental aspects.

The State Government has submitted maps of the CRZ after classifying the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu into CRZ I (coastal areas which are ecologically sensitive, where there are river mouths etc.), CRZ II (residential cities like Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam) and CRZ III (fit for tourism projects). Areas like Pichavaram where there are mangroves, forest and river mouth, Muthupetin Tiruvarur district where there are salt pans, and other monumental areas have been classified as CRZ I.

The maps were prepared by Collectors of the coastal districts recently. The State authorities have cleared the maps submitted by the District Collectors, and have sent them to the centre for clearance. The TN Government has also sought for the lifting of the ban on construction of hotels on the eastern side of the East Coast Road.