Revised gazette notification on CRZ

BANGALORE: Terming the 1991 regulation on Coastal Regulatory Zone as an "invitation to corruption", union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said a revised gazette notification on CRZ will be issued by July 16.

"The revised notification will be a hybrid of old 1991 regulation and the new CRZ rules recommended by the Swaminathan Committee," Ramesh said here.

The 1991 regulation on CRZ "is invitation to corruption which was stoutly opposed by some states," he said, chairing a meeting of officials of the departments of forest, irrigation and energy presided over by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

The ministry, Ramesh said, is also contemplating setting up an Environment Protection Authority in the next few months to monitor the implementation of environment projects.

"I envisage the State Pollution Boards taking on the role of Environment Protection Authorities in the coming months", he said.