Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India presented a report in parliament, examining the effectiveness of the conservation efforts undertaken by the Union Environment Ministry regarding India’s coastal ecosystems. This document comprises findings from an audit conducted on the same topic between 2015-2020.
As directed by the constitution, the CAG is obligated to inspect and report on public funds. The audit was instigated following the CAG’s pre-audit studies, revealing significant violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) along the coastal areas.
The coastal land extending up to 500 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100m along the banks of various water bodies is designated as the Coastal Regulation Zone. Incidents of unauthorized construction activities and effluent discharge from local bodies and farms necessitated an in-depth investigation.
Central Government’s Role in Coastal Conservation
In India, several notifications have been issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to manage activities along the Indian coasts, particularly construction. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification (CRZ) 2019, implemented by the Ministry, compartmentalizes the coastal area into numerous zones, thereby controlling infrastructure activities within them.
The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA), State/Union Territory Coastal Zone Management Authorities (SCZMAs/UTCZMAs), and District Level Committees (DLCs) are the three entities responsible for implementing the CRZ. These bodies scrutinize if the CRZ clearances provided by the government comply with procedures, whether project developers adhere to conditions upon approval, and assess the success of goals under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Program (ICZMP).
Findings of the Audit
The audit found that the Environment Ministry didn’t establish NCZMA as a permanent body. Instead, it got reconstituted every few years and functioned as an ad-hoc body due to undefined membership.
There were also numerous instances of Expert Appraisal Committees absent during project deliberations. These are committees comprising scientific experts and senior bureaucrats responsible for assessing the feasibility of infrastructure projects and their environmental consequences. Moreover, the members of the EAC were less than half on several occasions during the discussions.
Issues at the State-Level
At the state level, the central auditor noticed that the State Coastal Zone Management Authorities (SCZMAs) were granting clearance without the necessary recommendation to relevant authorities. There were also multiple cases where mandatory documents were not submitted for approved projects.
Further, the audit discovered instances where projects received approval despite inadequacies in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) reports. This included reports prepared by non-accredited consultants and outdated data, among others.
State-Specific Problems Identified by the CAG
In Tamil Nadu, there lacked any strategy to conserve the Gulf of Mannar Islands. Goa did not have a system in place for monitoring coral reefs or plans to preserve turtle nesting sites. In Gujarat, the equipment purchased to examine the physiochemical parameters of soil and water in the Gulf of Kutch was left unused. Also, sea patrols ceased to occur in the Gahirmatha Sanctuary in Kendrapara, Odisha.
Indian Initiatives for Coastal Management
To promote the integrated and sustainable development of coastal and marine areas in India, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management has been established. The aim is to ensure the welfare of traditional coastal and island communities.
Moreover, the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan seeks to manage the coast using an integrated approach. Similarly, the Coastal Regulation Zone notification was issued under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, to regulate activities in coastal areas of India.
Regardless of the critical findings, these reports are delivered to the Standing Committees of Parliament which deliberate on public interest matters. In this context, the Environment Ministry would be asked to explain the pointed-out omissions by the CAG and make necessary corrections. This is a crucial aspect of a democratic process whereby authorities are held accountable for their actions.