With the deadline for receiving public suggestions and comments on the draft coastal regulations zone (CRZ) 2018 ending a fortnight back, the central government has carried out amendments for location of defence-related projects in CRZ and aspects related to the hazard line. The amendments to CRZ notification, 2011, issued by joint secretary of ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) were published in the gazette of India dated July 2, 2018, while the central government is yet to finalize the draft notification, raising eyebrows among environmental activists over the timing of the amendment. The amendment seeks to insert in paragraph 8 of CRZ notification, 2011, a new clause (g) to allow projects related to defence organizations of strategic requirement and national importance, which cannot be located elsewhere, but subject to strict environmental safeguards. As per CRZ 1 in CRZ notification 2011, no new construction is permitted except projects relating to department of atomic energy, pipelines, transmission lines, weather radar for monitoring of cyclones, trans- harbour sea link and development of greenfield airport already approved at only Navi Mumbai. The notification states that the amendment has been effected after receiving representations from the defence organisations for national important facilities and from various coastal states and Union territories related to management and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. This perhaps relates to the amendment related to the hazard line, which as defined in clause (iii) of the opening paragraph, sub-paragraph (iii) has been deleted for a new one. The new clause stated that the hazard line will be used as a tool for disaster management plan for the coastal environment, including planning of adaptive and mitigation measures. To protect vulnerable coastal communities and ensure sustainable livelihood while drawing Coastal Zone Management Plans, the land use planning for the area between this line and high tide line will consider such impacts of climate change and shoreline changes. The hazard line has not been demarcated though CRZ notification 2011. So why the hurry to amend it, Kashinath Shetye, a social activist said.