Parliamentary committee asks centre to hold back CMZ notification

sustained protests by fishing communities and environmentalists has forced the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to review the proposed Coastal Management Zone (cmz) draft notification that allows airports and other development projects in coastal areas. The ministry has set up a committee to review the draft notification. It will submit its report by July 15.

A parliamentary committee has, meanwhile, recommended the cmz notification should be withheld till the concerns of the fishing communities are addressed. The committee on science and technology and forests and environment, in its report tabled on June 8, said the draft cmz notification does not assure fishing communities their right of access to oceans. Non-profits and fishers