This Puducherry coastal issue is honestly not looking like some small paperwork dispute . When CPRM is warning about real estate projects inside no-development zone,it directly touches fishing families,coastal ecology and future of that whole 6.11-km stretch.
The Coastal People’s Right to Life Movement (CPRM) is now urging Puducherry government to take strong action against all real estate projects permitted within no-development zone along this 6.11-km coastal stretch . And at same time,they are saying these developments go against National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines which mandate 5.3-km no-development zone .
And honestly,this is where things get uncomfortable.
In recent fact-finding report,S . Ramachandran,the State secretary of the Puducherry unit of CPI (M),warned that approval of Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for real estate development could badly hit livelihoods of fishing communities in Puducherry,Cuddalore,and Villupuram . His words were very direct: "We demand immediate protection of fishing communities, coastal areas,and the 5.3-km no-development zone,"
That line says enough only . Because for fishing communities,coast is not just view or property value,it is daily survival ah.
Few things standing out clearly in this report:
- CZMP's approval of construction in no-development zones contradicts NGT regulations.
- Only 60% of common assets in fishing villages are registered,leaving major gaps.
- CPRM wants new survey using GPS and satellite imagery for accurate coastal management.
Report also says significant coastal lands are still unregistered,including 551 acres in Puducherry and 175 acres in Karaikal . That is not small thing at all,especially when planning decisions are being made based on records which may not show full reality.
And then there is fishing zone issue too . Areas covering 610 square nautical miles have not been documented,and long-term housing needs for fishing villages are still unmet . So on one side,real estate development is moving forward,but on other side,basic coastal records and housing concerns are still hanging .
CPRM is asking for immediate reassessment so development does not just bulldoze environmental protection and community needs . They are also appealing to Ministry of Environment and Puducherry Pollution Control Committee to conduct proper survey and make sure CZMP reflects actual coastal situation .
They also want no-development zone rules enforced properly and public hearings before any future CZMP approvals . Which sounds fair,because people living there should not find out later that their coast has already been planned over on paper.
But bigger question is this: if fishing communities,unregistered coastal lands and undocumented fishing zones are still waiting to be properly counted,how are big real estate approvals moving ahead so confidently…
