Kalaignar pen monument project Cleared

Published: 4th May, 2023

Context

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended the proposal to construct Muthamizh Arignar Dr. Kalaignar pen monument in the Bay of Bengal, off the Marina beach, for coastal zone clearance with nearly 15 conditions.

Muthamizh Arignar Dr. Kalaignar (1924-2018)

Born on June 3, 1924 in Thirukkuvalai village, M Karunanidhi had many achievements registered under his name.
Beginning his political career as a 14-year-old activist in the anti-Hindi agitation of the late 1930s, he quickly became the voice of the surging Dravidian movement.
In 1953, His involvement in the Kallakudi agitation in Kallakudi made him gain ground in Tamil politics. Karunanidhi has contested 12 Assembly elections and not even lost once.

About

The pen monument is to honour DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.
The 42-metre-tall pen monument is proposed to be constructed 360 metres from the shoreline with a bridge linking the monument and the beach at Rs 80 crore.
The proposed site falls under CRZ-1A, CRZ-II and CRZ-IVA areas and green signal has been given by the State level authorities.

What are Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)?

Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) are the areas along the 7,500 km-long coastal stretch of India.
The coastal land up to 500m from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks, estuaries, backwater and rivers subject to tidal fluctuations, is called the Coastal Regulation Zone.
The development of buildings, tourism infrastructure and other facilities is regulated in these areas by the Government of India.
Coastal areas are of four categories as CRZ-1, CRZ-2, CRZ-3 and CRZ-4.
- CRZ-1: These are ecologically sensitive areas which are essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coasts. These include national parks/marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats, mangroves and corals/coral reefs.
- CRZ-2: The areas that have already developed up till the shoreline of the coast are included in this zone. Construction of unauthorised structures is prohibited in this zone.
- CRZ-3: Rural and urban localities that are relatively undisturbed and do not belong to the first two categories are included under CRZ-3. Only specific activities related to agriculture or some public facilities are allowed in this zone.
- CRZ-4: These areas include the coastal stretches in Lakshadweep, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and some other small islands, except those termed as CRZ-I, CRZ-II, or CRZ-III. These areas reside in the aquatic region up to the territorial limits.

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Kalaignar pen monument project Cleared

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CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Kalaignar pen monument project Cleared

Still Have Questions?

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