New Delhi (PTI): In a boost for the fishing community, the Union Environment Ministry has decided to have a "relook" at the "discrepancies" in the controversial draft on Coastal Zone Management (CMZ)-2008 notification which is in its final stage.

Opposing the notification, the NGOs and fishing communities had alleged that it proposed to encourage and legalise industrial corporate activities along the coasts in the garb of management methodologies while curtailing the accessibility of the local community to sea resources.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has assured a delegation of fishing community that the notification will be allowed to lapse on July 22 and "later changes will be incorporated keeping in mind the scientific principles relating to sustainable development," said Leo F Saldanha from the Environment Support Group (ESG).

At the meeting with the delegation of fishing communities recently, he (Ramesh) assured the "protection of the interests of fishermen and their families will be paramount in the exercise and not of builders" as is being criticized," the activist said in a statement.

Quoting the minister, Saldanha said that within the next two months five consultations would be held to discuss areas of improvement of the existing Costal Regulation Zone enacted in 1991.

"Acceding to the demand of the fishing communities, the minister has also confirmed that the reform would not interfere with the traditional and customary rights of fishing communities," the statement added.

A Parliamentary panel too in its report recently had criticized the Centre accusing it of ignoring the concerns and welfare of fisher folks in the CMZ and pointed out that it was prepared without involving them.

In its report "On Coastal Management Programmes," it also advised the government to set up a mechanism to address the problems of coastal communities as well as allow adequate state governments' participation.

Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry has also decided to notify a separate Island Protection Zone for Lakshadweep and Andamans that "combines CRZ-91 and the scientific principles of CMZ-2008 notification."