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construction in buffer zone, says CCD Various police stations along the coast confirm that temporary shelters/tents have been erected within the buffer zone. "The recent scare when the rising tide caused flooding to various shelters put up within the 100 metre zone disregarding the Coast Conservation Act points to the need for the authorities to expedite the process of finding suitable land to relocate the tsunami victims currently living in the buffer zone," said Dr. R.A.D.B. Samaranayake, Director, Coast Conservation Department. It is mandatory that any developer or individuals putting up a new construction, reconstructing or repairing a structure obtain an authorisation permit from the CCD, he said. All other structures should be moved back, primarily to ensure the safety of the people, particularly with regard to the unpredictable nature of the climatic conditions at present, he added. The Department has already deployed coast guards to various areas along the coast to ensure that no unauthorised buildings are constructed. On finding one, they are authorised to issue a demolition order to remove the construction. Under the Coast Conservation Act No. 57 of 1981, the Police too are empowered to take action against anyone illegally constructing any structure within the zone. Dr. Samaranayake said according to the Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) guidelines very few structures would be allowed within the 100 metre buffer zone. Some of the permitted structures include coast protection structures such as off shore breakwaters and revetments, fisherman's requirements like jetties, anchorages, storage facilities and archaeological and historical monuments. The Coast Conservation Department's decree comes in the wake of the Urban Development Authority's Director General K. V. Dharmasiri confirming that under a long term plan all non-tsunami affected constructions in the coastal regions falling within the buffer zone, with the probable exception of hotels, will have to be removed. Mr. Dharmasiri yesterday told The Sunday Times the government would be requesting non-tsunami affected residents of houses and buildings located within the 100 metre zone in the South and the 200 metre zone in the North and East to resettle in other areas. He said that although this decision will not be implemented immediately, the decision had been made. "There are many issues to be sorted out. The government has not yet worked out the long term plan to facilitate such a removal, either of hotels or houses but it would clearly be a priority once the other post-tsunami work is finalised', Mr. Dharmasiri said. With regard to the relocation of the hotels he said that if a long term decision was taken then the hotels too 'might have to be moved'. However he admitted that it was 'impractical' and said there would be strong opposition from the hotel and tourism industry. He confirmed the government would not budge from its stand on having no new constructions in the 100 and 200 metre buffer zone. "The decision in this regard has been taken and there will be no change whatever the opposition to it. All buildings that were destroyed by the tsunami will have to be re-constructed outside the zone", he said. However the Tourism Ministry maintains that whatever the policy decision the government takes with regard to coastal region constructions, will not affect the hotels. "We have categorically told the UDA that the hotels in the coastal region within the 100 metre zone will have to remain. The removal of the hotels will completely cripple the tourism industry in the country", Tourism Ministry Additional Secretary G. Michael told The Sunday Times adding that one fourth of the hotels in the country were located in the coastal belt. He further said that according to a decision taken the hotels which have suffered around 50 percent of tsunami damages could be reconstructed in the same location, 'close to the coast'. Meanwhile the Coast Conservation Department will also be looking into making the buffer zone green. Foreign expertise in this regard is being gathered along with inputs from other tsunami affected countries. The hundred and two hundred metre zones will be set apart for the cultivation of mangroves and other plants which thrive in the coastal region. |
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