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| Sunday, 3 February 2002 |
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CCD to come down hard on encroachers by ANTON NONIS Unauthorised structures and constructions continue to grow at an alarming pace eating into the country's beaches. The Coast Conservation Department (CCD), in a bid put an end to such encroaching will come down hard on offenders. This is another instance of a state concern trying to make the most out of the government's announcement of the `100-day' period allocated to bring about radical changes and upliftment in its work programs. But the duration might not be sufficient to do the required changes. However, the authorities believe a tough stance even at this late stage could do the needful for improvement. The threat is seen in many sections along the coastal belt. The department has constantly conducted surveys to look for illegal structures and constructions. In a survey that was carried out recently revealed that the Negombo Unawatuna stretch had been the worst. According to CCD Director, Dr.R.A.D.B Samaranayake, the stretch from Dehiwala to Mount Lavinia, a distance of about 1.5 kilometres, had many illegal structures. A considerably large amount of illegal structures have come up in the past few years. The department counts about 50 such structures at present. Most of these are found to be restaurants. As a result, access to the beach has been blocked. The department has completed the survey of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia section. "We want to remove all the unauthorised structures and establish easy passage to the beach which will ensure cleanliness, Dr.Samaranayake said. At present, the CCD is holding discussions with the Mount Lavinia Municipal Council and the Ceylon Tourist Board in ways of eliminating such structures. The authorities do not want any of these constructions to go beyond the beach-line without the proper authorisation for it. Structures that come within the "strict reservation area" are noted down for demolition. Such structures are those constructed within 300 metres from the high water-line, landwards. Some of these have cost large sums of money. Asked what action the owners of such constructions could take, Dr.Samaranayake said that they would have to modify the building so that they would not encroach into the beach-line. The other critical area identified is Unawatuna towards the Southern end. It too has several unauthorised restaurants and other such constructions. According to CCD sources there are about seventy constructions. The department is conducting survey of the area and subsequently will establish the beach-line. As such, there are about 250 illegal structures that have been detected between Dehiwala to Ambalangoda. Rekawa, Habaraduwa, Kahawa, Midigama are some other areas that had a considerable number of illegal beach constructions according to the CCD. Orders to demolish most of these illegal structures are already been issued. In others, it will be done in due course. While some of the offenders have already agreed to abide by the orders issued to them, some have continued to ignore them. In the recent past, the department had successfully effected the demolition of ten assemblies in the southern coastal strip upto Beruwala. All such constructions are found to diminish the beach area and also had acted as obstructions to free movement along the beach. The department signifies that the beach is public property and that any person had the right in using it without any hindrance. The right of relaxing on the beach is being curtailed as a result of the structures. Dr.Samaranayake said that the department repeatedly receives complaints in this regard. As the CCD is short of staff for an effective service, it has sought the assistance of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources to strengthen its workforce. As a result a Coastal Monitoring Surveillance Unit (CMSU) under the ministry has been formed to combat the menace. A team consisting of 175 coast guards specifically for the purpose of enforcing the Coastal Act, are to be employed. In most instances, loopholes in the Coastal Act were being made use of by encrochers. It has made things difficult for the department to carry out its task effectively. "Very soon draft amendments will be made in the Coastal Act," a CCD source said. Those constructions earmarked for removal will be first issued with a demolition order by the CCD. Still, an occupant of the beach construction has the facility of protesting against such an order. He has to make an application to the Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Oceanic Resources. Investigations by the CCD revealed that the majority of beach structures had been erected within the strict reservation area. "They will be demolished without delay," Dr.Samaranayake said. |
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