Visakhapatnam, July 16: The state secretary of CPI, Dr K. Narayana, said that their party was opposing the state government's proposal to develop Coastal Corridor between Itchapuram in Srikakulam district and Tada in Nellore district and launched a pro-CPI test campaign in this regard to create awareness among those living in the coastal areas about the ill effects of the proposal.

The ad hoc coastal development projects, which have been conceived and proposed in total disregard to environmental concerns, pose a serious threat to marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of 500,000 fishermen, besides putting human life at risk. The Sindh-Balochistan coast is very much vulnerable to cyclones and floods and implementation of such projects, without proper scrutiny by independent experts, is like inviting disaster.

Maharashtra Nav-nirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has said that the draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) notification would hurt Mumbai and Maharashtra the most if implemented, and has called upon Southern states to unite against the North on the issue. In a news item in today's Loksatta edition, he said the states of the North and their leaders have always had contempt for Maharashtra and, hence, it is necessary for all southern states to join hands, at least for the development of Mumbai.

Re-categorisation gives too much power to authorities: NGO It will upset distribution of power between State, Centre CHENNAI: Representatives of Coastal Action Network (CAN) met senior members of several political parties in the state on Friday on the proposed Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) notifications and impressed on them the need to withdraw them.

MIRA-BHAYANDAR THE municipal administration's confession that permission was denied to the construction of offices for group leaders at the main administrative building of the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), since it violated the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) led to uproarious scenes during the general body meeting on Thursday.

It may be couched in grand words as an initiative to

coastal clearances: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests issued the second draft of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) notification, which allows green-field airports on coasts.

The National Fishworkers Forum has urged the Centre to immediately withdraw the "ill-conceived draft Coastal Zone Management (CZM) notification. For, it will not only adversely impact the fragile ecological system and marine life but also take away the means of livelihood from the 10-million fishing community, representatives of the forum told a press conference here on Friday. "The future of millions of fisherfolk is at stake as the Centre, in league with the governments of coastal States, plans to bring up huge commercial projects along the 8,118-km long coastline.'