The state government has issued guidelines to issue NoC for constructions in the vicinity of dams under the Water Resources Department. The executive engineer of the department concerned shall be the authority to issue a NoC for fresh construction.

The order issued by the Water Resources Department has called for an amendment in Kerala panchayat building rules, 2019, to regulate construction activities within 100 m of the buffer zone near the reservoir of a dam. There shall be two categories for the issuance of NoC.

Category 1 includes the buffer zone where no fresh constructions, regardless of type or nature, will be permitted. All lands between the rim of the reservoir at Maximum water level up to 20 metres towards the land shall be the buffer zone.

All lands beyond Category 1 up to 100 m shall be designated as Category 2. The existing rules shall apply to all fresh construction activities under this zone.

The following activities or constructions will not be permitted.
1) Land reclamation, bunding, dressing, altering or disturbing the natural slope of the reservoir banks for any other activities other than those permitted by the Executive Engineer concerned.
2) Dumping of city or town wastes including construction debris, industrial solid wastes, fly ash for the purpose of land filling.
3) Discharge of untreated waste and effluents from industries, cities or towns and other human settlements.

4) Mining of sand, rocks and other sub-strata materials from the reservoir lands other than those permitted by the Executive Engineer concerned.
5) Construction of buildings above the height of 10 metres
6)Activities involving the manufacture or handling of gas, explosives, and oil along with its storage or disposal of hazardous substances.

The Executive Engineers of the department/agency have been directed to take immediate steps to demarcate the Category II zone at the earliest.