Swanky sea-facing buildings violate CRZ rules on ECR

Chennai

Experts say these violations, which have angered the local communities and fishermen, will lead to erosion of the beach, increased saltwater intrusion and vulnerability to nature’s fury.

Resorts, high rise residential structures and villas (in various stages of construction) and even a swanky surf school are on the list of violators.  Saravanan Kasi, a fisherman from Urur Kuppam, who works closely with the Coastal Resource Centre, said in areas like Vadapattinam, Kanathur, Reddikuppam and many other fishing hamlets on ECR, permanent structures are coming up close to the high tide line. “The construction will only lead to the privatisation of the beach as well as erosion. For instance, in Vadapattinam, there  is a 100-crore resort in the works. But a closer scrutiny revealed that the survey numbers declared to the authorities are different from where the construction is actually taking place, which is just 100 meters from the high tide line. Moreover, 50 per cent resorts in Chennai have no proper sewer lines or sewage treatment plants. There is no way to judge the amount of sewage that is being let into the ocean,” he explained.

The villagers of Vadapattinam have petitioned the authorities to take action against the resort, violating the CRZ rules. “The construction of the resort started two years ago and according to our calculation, it is merely 20 meters from the high tide line. This new commercial building has taken over our space, where we used to park our boats. We have written to the Tashildar, district collector, the police and other concerned officials. But instead of taking action, they gave the resort clearance to build, without conducting a proper study. We will protest and demand illegal buildings violating CRZ rules be demolished,” said  Kadumbadi, a 38-year-old fisherman living in Vadapattinam.

These buildings, attracting residents as well as tourists, draw water from the ground, which can be dangerous in CRZ areas,  as it can lead to saltwater intrusion, which can contaminate our drinking water sources. Activist Nityanand Jayaraman pointed out that flattening sand dunes for construction destroys the natural structure. “Sand dunes are important coastal structures as they protect the coast from nature’s fury. They are massive storehouses of freshwater, while keeping the sea from advancing underground into the land and increasing the salinity. If these dunes are destroyed, the sea water will move in and disturb agriculture. Once you set up a resort on a sand dune, you kill that place’s ability to handle itself, increasing the area’s vulnerability during crisis. Drawing ground water will increase salt water intrusion,” he added.

Sixty-year-old Seker, a fisherman from Injambakkam, reminisced a time when vast expanses of sand dunes dotted his village. “There were 27 ponds in our kuppam alone and almost 165 acres of marshland. But all that has long disappeared and now you can only see buildings. The sand dunes have been flat tened for construction. I have been fishing from the age of 12. Back then, we never fished between 12 pm to 3 pm, to ensure fish breeding and allow the fishermen to rest. But with the quantity of catch dropping by almost 50 per cent, fishing is done day and night,” he said.  Repeated attempts to reach officials in Directorate of Town and Country Planning went unanswered.

‘500-metre LOC’

Kaushik Sharma, an advocate, said, “The CRZ rules prescribe that from High Tide Line, upto 200 mts is demarcated as ‘No Development Zone’ and further, 200 mts to 500 mts only limited activity is permitted. The intent of the legislature is to maintain the area upto 500 mts in terms of construction of buildings with height restriction, FSI, setback restriction, etc as it was in 1991, due to the eco-sensitivity of such areas. In ECR, we have seen many buildings close to the high tide line, which are serious violations. The Ministry of Environment and Forests and State Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) are authorised to take suo moto action against the violations.”

‘ECR is an aspiration’

Sanjay Chugh, National Head — Mandated Sales & Business Head, JLL, said, “Everybody aspires for a sea facing villa on ECR. There is a lot of retail activity that has started because of urbanisation. ECR is very popular for those who want a second home. But most developers have to follow the CRZ rules to ensure they can sell the apartments. Those who flout these rules buy land and construct their homes, at their own risk. As per the law, it is prohibited.”