(a) whether due to urbanisation and tourism, industrial waste, chemical waste from fertilizer and pesticides silt from degraded catchments, increased population, economic and industrial growth have created pressure on coastal resources with some stretches in the country becoming highly polluted;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government are considering to bring out certain guidelines for coastal aquaculture; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI DILIP SINGH JU DEV):
(a) & (b): Under a programme of the Department of Ocean Development, coastal water quality is monitored in order to mitigate the adverse impacts of pollution on marine environment. The Government issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification dated 19.2.1991 to protect the country`s coastal environment by regulating activities in CRZ. The Government has also constituted the National and State/Union Territories level Coastal Zone Management Authorities under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and delegated to them powers to take necessary measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating and controlling environmental pollution in coastal areas, besides taking appropriate action regarding violations of the CRZ Notification.
(c) & (d): In accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court the Aquaculture Authority has been set up to regulate shrimp farming activities in coastal areas. The Authority has evolved guidelines for adopting improved technology for increasing production and productivity in traditional and improved traditional systems of shrimp farming in an eco-friendly manner.