PROTECTED SPECIAL AGRICULTURE ZONE
10, Feb 2020
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Prelims level : Agriculture, ignorance, subsidy, marketing
Mains level : GS3 - Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Why in News?
- Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu recently announced that the Cauvery delta regionwould be declared as Protected Special Agriculture Zone.
What is a Protected Agriculture Zone?
- Declaring as the Protected Special Agriculture Zone ensures that particular region will not be granted permission for any new projects like those related to hydrocarbons.
- Only Agro based Industries would be given permission to be built.
What are the regions declared as Protected Zones?
- To guard the delta areas and end farmers’ ordeals, the special protection will be bestowed on Cauvery Delta districtssuch as Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagappattinam, Pudukottai, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Karur and Tiruchirappalli districts.
![](http://iasgatewayy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Capture-4.png)
Why such protection is essential?
- The Cauvery Delta Region is an important agricultural region in Tamil Naduand farmers continue to do agriculture, despite climate changes.
- It is just and reasonable that projects like hydrocarbon exploration have raised concerns among farmers and other agriculture-based labourers.
- Since the delta region is close to the sea, there is a need to safeguard the region.
What would be the benefits of this declaration?
- The benefits that have accrued for farmers are manifold.
- Drilling for extraction of oil and gas in these regions that hampers agriculture and posing much environmental impact or health hazards will be stopped immediately.
- Whatever the project introduced by the centre, it cannot be implemented without the NOC from that state.