Stricter enforcement measures planned for CRZ violations, industrial pollution: T.N. Environment Minister

Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Climate Change Rajeev on Friday said the government would strictly enforce measures to curb Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations, prevent the discharge of untreated industrial effluents into waterbodies, and step up monitoring on biomedical waste management.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said complaints regarding CRZ violations along the coast, particularly unauthorised resorts and buildings in ecologically sensitive areas, would be reviewed and acted upon. He said the government would examine existing violations, ascertain when the structures were built and take action in accordance with the law.

Referring to instances of biomedical waste from Kerala being dumped in Tamil Nadu’s border districts, Mr. Rajeev said stricter monitoring and enforcement measures were being pursued to ensure proper disposal. “We track where the vehicles come from. Most of the vehicles involved have Tamil Nadu registrations. Once we identify where the waste originated, we trace it back to the hospital and contact the institution concerned. The seriousness of the problem has not been fully understood by everyone. Some people have accepted money and allowed such practices,” he said.

On industrial pollution, he said industries, particularly dyeing and textile units in western districts, should comply with effluent treatment norms, and violations would attract stringent action. “Our priority is strict enforcement. In some areas, common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) function effectively. We are asking industries elsewhere to establish similar facilities,” he said.

Mr. Rajeev said the government was urging industries to invest in effluent treatment infrastructure rather than evading regulations. “Industries should prosper. But they must operate properly because pollution affects workers, families, and surrounding communities,” he said.

The Department has planned a scientific assessment of solid waste generation across selected areas to identify waste hotspots and infrastructure gaps, he said. The study will examine the volume of waste generated, locations where waste accumulation is highest, and the need for facilities such as waste bins. Based on the findings, corrective measures and awareness campaigns will be rolled out. The Minister said the initiative will begin as a pilot project in some areas in Ramanathapuram and Namakkal districts before being expanded to other areas.

Facelift to beaches

Mr. Rajeev said Tamil Nadu intended to add more beaches to the Blue Flag programme and upgrade infrastructure at existing sites. Facilities such as washrooms, seating areas, and shaded spaces will be improved, and wooden ramps will also be installed at all existing Blue Flag beaches to improve accessibility and visitor movement, he said.

Following the success of the Chief Minister’s Green Fellowship programme, the Minister added that the fellowship, which had 40 fellows in its first batch, had been proposed to be expanded.