Over the last two years, Dakshina Kannada has witnessed a surge in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) breaches, particularly along riverbanks and coastal belts. At least 55 instances of unauthorized development have been officially recorded, raising serious environmental alarms.
Authorities state that a key obstacle in preventing such infractions is the indiscriminate clearance of homestays and guesthouses by local governing bodies, without due regard for CRZ norms. The High Tide Line (HTL), used to delineate coastal zones where construction is restricted, plays a crucial role in enforcing these regulations. As per CRZ guidelines, the regulated zone stretches 500 meters from the shoreline and 50 meters from rivers.
However, changing coastal dynamics have made it difficult to monitor these areas effectively. Residents along the coast report that the sea has been gradually encroaching inland, blurring the boundary of the HTL and challenging regulatory oversight.
The 2019 CRZ notification, which utilizes satellite mapping and field-level verification, remains the basis for determining the HTL. Despite this, officials admit many violations go unreported or undetected.
Further complicating the issue is the continued practice of illegal sand extraction, even though legally permissible alternatives exist outside CRZ zones. Recently, disputes emerged over proposals to classify areas upstream of the Adyar-Harekala barrage under CRZ, which residents opposed. Officials clarified that such a move would require amending national CRZ regulations.
Experts urge stronger coordination among tourism, local governance, and environmental departments to protect these ecologically sensitive zones.
Read also: