Protected Special Agricultural Zone’ (PSAZ): Current Affairs Capsule 12 Feb 2020

‘Protected Special Agricultural Zone’ (PSAZ)

• Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s announcement that the Cauvery delta region would be declared ‘Protected Special Agricultural Zone’ (PSAZ) may not affect various ongoing projects in the districts, including hydrocarbon exploration. Mr. Palaniswami had said no “new projects such as the hydrocarbon project” would be allowed in delta districts. 
• The primary intention of the government is to prohibit any “fresh” attempts at the exploration of gas and minerals in the Cauvery delta region, senior bureaucrats indicated. “This is wet­land ecology and such explorations would affect agriculture severely. Moreover, such explorations would also lead to seawater intrusion.”
• Since the ongoing projects in the Cauvery delta have already obtained the necessary permission from the authorities concerned, they may not be affected by the announcement,” informed sources said. 
• The proposed ₹50,000 crore investment in Cuddalore by Haldia Petrochemicals would be allowed since “the unit is outside” the Cauvery delta core region. Besides, it is only replacing another private player. 
• The Chief Minister has so far not clarified about the fate of the ongoing projects in the region. The proposed PSAZ would cover the entire Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts.  The remaining five districts would be covered only partially. 
• The declaration was primarily to stop the “local exploitation of underground minerals and gas.” That way, refineries could be allowed since they would only use imported oil
• Though the contours of the policy are yet to be outlined, sources hinted that infrastructure projects such as the laying of roads and railways and construction of bridges would not be affected. 

Source: The Hindu