NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT LAUNCHED
Jairam Ramesh, the Minister for
Environment and Forests announced the launch of The National Centre for
Sustainable Coastal Zone Management (NCSCZM) on Monday at Anna
University-Chennai. The centre would be supported of a consortium of 11
institutions, to focus on capacity-building and research in coastal zone
management. The formation of consortium will be at the investment of Rs 166
Crores. The centre would have links with similar institutions around the world.
After an extensive exercise undertaken to obtain feedback from the public the
Government is finalizing Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2010. These
apart three integrated coastal zone management projects are also being launched
in West Bengal, Orissa and
Eminent scientist M.S.Swaminathan said the problem of climate change,
especially in coastal areas, had to be handled proactively. Along with economic
sustainability, ecological and social sustainability were also being recognized
as important concerns. Recalling that the centre had grown out of the
recommendations of a committee he had chaired nearly five years ago, Mr.
Swaminathan said there should be strengthening of research, extension and
training capabilities to handle the problems.
K.Kasturirangan, member of the Planning Commission and former head of
the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), said a satellite to monitor
greenhouse gas emissions would be launched in two or three years and another to
study forest cover. Another satellite exclusively for studying the coastal zone
was also mooted and the proposal was being studied.
