KES’ Shri. Jayantilal H.

Patel Law College, Mumbai

DETAIL STUDY ON CRZ 1

A project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for

The Eightth Semester of B.A.,LL.B Course

By
KARISHMA BEDMUTHA
FOURTH Year B.A., LL.B
Division A
Roll No – 04

Under the Supervision of

Asst. Prof MONARCH
SHETH
28TH MARCH,2024
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INTRODUCTION

The coastal zone covers a vast area that interacts with land, oceans, and atmosphere and therefore,
is very diverse. Coastal regions are of remarkable biological productivity and diversity because of
which, they have become the center of human activities. They provide ample opportunities like
trading and exporting fish, shellfish, seaweeds, and host ports. In addition to this, the beauty of
these coastal regions, attracts people, and thus provides leisure and promotes tourism.

On the other hand, the main coastal environmental problems are the natural threats to the land such
as cyclonic storms, tsunamis, and sea ingression. In addition to these, continuous population
growth coupled with rapid urbanization and economic growth is leading to ecological health
destruction, habitat destruction, resource depletion, and exotic organism invasion. To support the
conservation of the environment, the Constitution was amended by the 42nd Amendment Act,
1976. By the amendment, Articles 48A and Article 51A(g) were inserted in the Constitution.

STATUS OF THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

The coastal areas comprise 20% of the earth’s surface and yet contain 50% of the entire human
population. By the year 2025, the coastal population is expected to account for about 75% of the
total population of the world. More than 70% of the world’s megacities are located in coastal areas.
Coastal ecosystems yield 90% of the global fisheries. Hence, it becomes truly important to
conserve the coastal zones. The National Coastal Zone Management Program established under
the Coastal Zone Management Act, 1972, takes into account the benefits of marine habitats to the
Indian economy and encourages coastal states to collaborate with the federal government under
developing programs to protect and improve the areas. With the aid of the coastal zone
management act, coastal regions are better prepared to deal with problems that occur constantly.
The Pacific and Atlantic coastlines are often threatened by external causes, according to the
National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. Drilling industry faces a high risk of oil spill
into the oceans – the damage caused by spills is massive and very expensive. Yet all the coastal
risks are not the product of human activity. Natural hazards like erosion, harmful algal blooms,
big storms, flooding, tsunamis, and sea-level rise cause even greater harm, and half the Atlantic
coast-living nation is well aware of that fact.
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Coastal zone management programs pay a great deal of attention to forecasting hurricanes and
tsunamis and mitigating disruption to coastal areas. Constantly rising sea level is certainly not
good news for the coastal community, meaning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) still has several initiatives to introduce. Natural resource security is
particularly essential for the coastal areas. The leisure potential and the coastal habitats have been
impaired to some degree because of intensive industrial and human activities.

The coastal zone is a complex and frequently volatile environment that is affected by the inland
ecosystems (e.g. land use, drainage and groundwater outflow), the atmosphere and the ocean. The
systematic integration of several fields of science is therefore important in order to understand
these various factors and to establish a comprehensive strategy for coping with natural and
anthropogenic factors on the coastal zone.

COASTAL REGULATION ZONE

Coastal Regulation Zone: Inder the Environment Protection Act, 1986 a notification was issued
in February,1991, for regulation of activities in the coastal area by the Ministry of Environmentand
Forests (MoEF). As per the notification, the coastal land up to 500m from the High Tide Line
(HTL) and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks, estuaries, backwater and rivers subject to tidal
fluctuations, is called the Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ). CRZ along the country has been placed
in four categories. The above notification includes only the inter-tidal zone and lanod part of the
coastal area and does not include the ocean part. The notification imposed restriction on the setting
up and expansion of industries or processing plaits etc. in the said CRZ

The Coastal Regulation Zone is the zone near the coastline which includes the coastal area up to
500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100 metres along the banks of streams,
estuaries, backwaters, and rivers vulnerable to tidal variations (CRZ).
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THESE ZONES ARE GOVERNED BY CRZ RULES.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules govern and regulate commercial, human, and industrial
activities that are in close proximity to the coastline, in order to safeguard the delicate ecosystems
close to the sea.

In accordance with section 3 of the Environment Protection Act of 1986, the Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
notification for the first time in 1991.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is a significant regulatory framework. It aims to protect the
coastal environment in a country. It sets guidelines to maintain the ecological balance and preserve
the coastal areas' natural beauty. CRZ plays a crucial role in managing coastal development and
preventing environmental degradation. It covers a range of activities, including tourism and
industrial projects near the coast.

CRZ rules were notified by the Ministry of Environment in February 1991 under the ambit of the
Environment Protection Act 1986. CRZ aims to strike a balance between economic growth and
environmental conservation. By implementing CRZ, countries can safeguard fragile ecosystems.
They can preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of coastal resources.

WHAT ARE HIGH TIDE LINES AND LOW TIDE LINES

High Tide Line: HTL means the line on the land up to which the highest water line reaches during
the spring tide.

Low Tide Line: Similarly, it means the line on the land up to which the lowest water line reaches
during the spring tide.

Spring tides: The position of both the sun and the moon in relation to the earth has direct bearing
on tide height. When the sun, the moon and the earth are in a straight line, the height of the tide
will be higher. These are called spring tides and they occur twice a month, one on full moon period
and another during new moon period.
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OBJECTIVES OF CRZ 2011

Here are the objectives of CRZ 2011 in points:

 The CRZ 2011 aims to conserve and protect coastal stretches. It regulates activities that
could harm the environment. This includes construction, mining, and pollution.
 The CRZ 2011 aims to ensure livelihood security for fishing and local communities. It
protects their traditional rights and provides them with access to resources.
 The CRZ 2011 aims to promote sustainable development in coastal areas. It balances
economic growth with environmental protection.

HISTORY / GENESIS OF CRZ

1981 Pm Indira Gandhi issues advisory to coastal state to take precautions with promoting
development.

1989 Draft CRZ Notification

1991 implementation of CRZ Notification act

1996 approval of state CZMP

1998 formation of national and state coastal zone management authorities

2011 CRZ Notification

2019 Crz notification revised

APPLICATION OF CRZ:

Coastal Regulation Zone is applicable for the entire Indian Coast including the Andaman &
Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands. It broadly covers the coastal stretches of seas, bays,
estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters influenced by tidal action up to the defined distance into
the land from High Tide Line (HTL)
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Landward Limit of CRZ:

The land area from High Tide Line (hereinafter referred to as the HTL) to 500 meters on the
landward side along the sea front.

Land area between HTL to 50 meters or width of the creek, whichever is less on the landward side
along the tidal influenced water bodies from the mouth of the water body at the sea up to the
influence of tide which is measured as five parts per thousand.

Inter tidal zone- Area between High Tide line and Low Tide Line

The water and the bed area between the LTL to the territorial water limit (12 Nm) in case of sea
and the water and the bed area between LTL at the bank to the LTL on the opposite side of the
bank, of tidal influenced water bodies.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF COASTAL ZONES UNDER CRZ NOTIFICATION

2011

1. CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive areas like mangroves, coral reefs, biosphere reserves
etc.).
 No new construction shall be permitted in CRZ-I except
 Projects relating to the Department of Atomic Energy;
 Construction of trans-harbour sea link and roads without affecting the tidal flow of water,
between LTL and HTL. Etc.
 Between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line in areas which are not ecologically sensitive,
the following may be permitted;
 Exploration and extraction of natural gas;
 Construction of basic amenities like schools, roads, etc. for traditional inhabitants living
within the biosphere reserves;
 Salt harvesting by solar evaporation of seawater;
 Desalination plants;
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 Storage of non-hazardous cargo such as edible oil, fertilizers within notified ports;

2. CRZ-II (Areas which are developed up to the shoreline and falling within the
municipal limits; includes built-up area – villages and towns are that are already well
established),
 Buildings are permissible on the landward side of the hazardous line.
 Other activities such as desalination plants are also permissible.
 Some construction is permitted only as per guidelines specified by the notification.

3. CRZ-III: Areas that are relatively undisturbed and do not fall under either in
Category I or II and also include rural and urban areas that are not substantially
developed.
 Between 0-200 metres from HTL is a No Development Zone where no construction shall
be permitted.
 Only certain activities relating to agriculture, forestry, projects of Department of Atomic
Energy, mining of rare minerals, salt manufacture, regasification of petroleum products,
non-conventional energy sources and certain public facilities may be permitted in this zone.
 Between 200-500 metres of HTL, those permitted in 0-200 metres zone, construction of
houses for local communities and tourism projects are permissible.

4. CRZ-IV: The aquatic area from low tide line up to territorial limits is classified as
CRZ-IV including the area of the tidal influenced water body.
 There is no restriction on the traditional fishing undertaken by local communities.
 No untreated sewage or solid waste shall be let off or dumped in these areas.
 A separate draft Island Protection Zone Notification has been issued for protection of the
islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep under Environment (Protection) Act,
1986.
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COSTAL REGULATION ZONES

CRZ NOTIFICATION 2011

The Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published the Coastal
Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification in 1991 with the objective of conserving, preserving, and
protecting the coastal environment.

The CRZ 1991 notification underwent several amendments and was then combined and published
in the CRZ 2011 notification. The CRZ 2011 notification addressed the concerns with the CRZ
1991.
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THE COASTAL REGULATION ZONE NOTIFICATION 2011 MADE THE

FOLLOWING CHANGES AS TABULATED BELOW:

CRZ Reforms
Category

CRZ – I Exceptions related to new development

o Building highways and trans-harbour sea links between HTL and LTL,
etc., without affecting the tidal flow.

o Initiatives involving the Department of Atomic Energy.

Other authorizations given for interactions between HTL and LTL include

o Exploration and extraction of natural gas

o Desalination facilities for making salt

o Facilities for non-hazardous cargo storage in the notified ports.

CRZ – II o Permission for the construction of buildings on the dangerous line’s

landward portion.

Other Permissions:

o Desalination plans are among the licences given for activities between
HTL and LTL.

o Certain types of buildings are allowed only in accordance with the CRZ
notification’s rules.

CRZ – III New construction exceptions include –

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o Building highways and trans-harbour sea links between HTL and LTL,
etc., without affecting the tidal flow.

o Projects for public facilities, petroleum products, salt production, and

the Department of Atomic Energy.

o Building houses for nearby communities in some places.

CRZ – IV o The traditional fishing practised by nearby communities is unrestricted.

o In CRZ IV, no untreated sewage or solid waste may be discharged or

disposed of.

NEW REFORMS UNDER CRZ NOTIFICATION 2018 & 2019

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has brought out some
changes with a draft Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2018. The new CRZ
Notification, issued under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, seeks

“to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles taking into account the
dangers of natural hazards, sea-level rise due to global warming” and

“to conserve and protect the unique environment of coastal stretches and marine areas, besides
livelihood security to the fisher communities and other local communities in the coastal area”.The
salient features of the new reforms under CRZ Notification, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

o New Sub-categories: Two separate categories have been proposed for CRZ – III areas.

CRZ-III A CRZ-III B

o Highly populated and dense rural areas with o Rural areas with a density below
a 2161/km2 population density as per the 2161/km2 population as per 2011
2011 census. census.

o They will have a 50-meter NDZ from the o They will have a 200-meter NDZ
HTL. from HTL.
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o According to the 2011 CRZ Notification, it

was previously 200 metres from the HTL.

No Development Zone: A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been proposed

to be stipulated for all Islands close to the mainland coast and for all Backwater Islands on
the mainland.

o Hazard line mapping: It must only be used as a tool for disaster management and for
coordinating mitigation and adaptation strategies. It will be done by the Survey of India.

o Simplified CRZ clearances: The process for obtaining CRZ clearances has been
streamlined, and multiple levels of the delegation have been established for
recommending/granting CRZ clearances to projects and activities.

o FSI Norms relaxation: In the CRZ 2019 Notification, it has been agreed to de-freeze the
old norms and permit Floor Space Index (FSI) for construction projects, as prevailing on
the date of the new Notification.

COSTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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CRZ I

CRZ I = CRZIA + CRZ IB

CRZ IA (Ecological Sensitive Areas) :

 Mangroves;
 Corals and coral reefs;
 Sand Dunes;
 Mudflats;
 National parks, marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife
 Salt Marshes;
 Turtle nesting grounds;
 Horseshoe crabs habitats;
 Sea grass beds;
 Nesting grounds of birds;
 Archaeological importance and heritage sites.

CRZ IB: Area between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line region (LTL – HTL)

 Authorized Agencies to prepare CRZ maps:

 Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad,
 Centre for Earth Science studies, Thiruvananthapuram,
 Institute for Remote Sensing Anna University, Chennai,
 Institute of Wetland management and Ecological designs, Kolkata
 Naval Hydrographer's Officer, Dehradun,
 National Institute of Oceanography, Goa
 National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai.
 National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management.
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MANGROVES MUD FLATS BIOSPHERE RESERVE

SAND DUNES TURTLE NESTING GROUNDS SALT MARSHES

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ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED WITHIN THE CRZ

The following activities are declared as prohibited within the CRZ

1. Setting up of new industries and expansion of existing industries, except those directly
related to water front or directly needing foreshore facilities.
2. Manufacture or handling or disposal of hazardous substances.
3. Setting up and expansion of fish processing units including warehousing ( excluding
hatchery and natural fish drying in permitted areas).
4. Setting up and expansion of units/mechanism for disposal of waste and effluents into the
water course.
5. Discharging of city untreated waters and effluents from industries, cities or towns and
other human settlements.
6. Dumping of city or town waste for the purposes of land filling or otherwise; the existing
practice, if any, shall be phased out within a reasonable time not exceeding three years
from the date of notification.
7. Dumping of ash or any wastes form the date of notification.
8. Land reclamation, building or disturbing the natural course of sea water with similar
observations, except those required for control of coastal erosion and maintenance or
sandbars except tidal regulators, storm water recharge.
9. Mining of sand, rocks and other substrata materials not available outside CRZ areas

Shailesh Nayak Committee Report on CRZ

The Shailesh Nayak Committee was formed by the Central government in 2014. Their report
examined the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011. It made the following
recommendations:

Reduce the "No development zone" (NDZ): In rural areas with high population density, the NDZ
should be 50 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL). In other regions, it should be 200 meters
away.
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Tourism development: The committee suggests allowing tourist facilities and structures to be built
within the NDZ to boost tourism.

Decentralization of powers: Local, state, and union territory governments should have more
authority as requested by several states.

Identify ecologically sensitive areas: Coastal habitats should be designated as "ecologically

sensitive areas" (ESAs) under CRZ I. This includes mangroves, beaches, and coral reefs.

Reclaiming sea bed area: The committee's report mentions the possibility of reclaiming the seabed
in CRZ IV. This is especially for ports, harbors, fisheries, and public infrastructure.

Allow housing infrastructure: Construction of housing, slums, ports, tourism, harbors, and fishing-
related industries should be permitted in the CRZs.

Special Dispensations for Ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) under CRZ 2011

Sunderbans, the Gulf of Khambat and the Gulf of Kutch, Malvan, Achra-Ratnagiri in Maharashtra,
Karwar and Coondapur in Karnataka, Vembanad in Kerala, Bhaitarkanika in Orissa, Coringa in
East Godavari, and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh are to be officially designated as Critical
Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCA). For each of these areas, an integrated management plan will
be developed, taking into account the input and consultation of local communities.

Certain beaches, including Mandrem, Morjim, Galgiba, and Agonda in Goa, have been specifically
identified as turtle nesting sites and granted protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
As a result, no developmental activities will be permitted within these areas

IMPORTANCE OF COASTAL REGULATION ZONE

 India has a long coastline of more than 7,000 km. Hence, it becomes very important to have
proper rules and regulations for the management, preservation and development of the
coastal areas. The importance of the Coastal Regulation Zone can be understood in the
following points:
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 Protection of Biodiversity – Proper CRZ norms will lead to the protection of ecologically
sensitive areas, such as mangrove swamps and coral reefs that serve as a barrier against
cyclones and tsunamis.
 Mitigating Climate change – Resilient strategies for reducing the effects of climate change
and strong cyclones.
 Sustainable development – To strike a balance between growth and coastal environment
preservation.
 Improving livelihood – Enhancing coastal populations’ quality of life, particularly fishing
communities.

Timeline of CRZ regulations

In India, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules govern human and industrial activity close to
the coastline, in order to protect the fragile ecosystems near the sea.

They restrict certain kinds of activities — like large constructions, setting up of new industries,
storage or disposal of hazardous material, mining, reclamation and bunding — within a certain
distance from the coastline.

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification was first issued in 1991 by Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with the
mandate to take measures to protect and conserve our coastal environment.

Shortcomings of CRZ 1991:

 Uniform regulations for the entire Indian coastline without taking into account the diversity
in terms of biodiversity, demographic patterns, natural resources, etc.
 Laid no clear procedure for obtaining CRZ clearance.
 Post clearance monitoring and enforcement mechanism was not laid out.
 Measures/rules to check pollution emanating from land-based activities were not included.
 Caused hardships to traditional communities living in ecologically sensitive coastal
stretches (fishermen, slum dwellers, etc.).
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 Several amendments were made in the CRZ 1991 notification which was consolidated and
issued in the CRZ 2011 notification. The CRZ 2011 notification took into account the
issues of CRZ 1991.

COASTAL REGULATION ZONE (CRZ) – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

RELATED TO VIOLATIONS / CLEARANCES

 The construction of the livelihood support centre for fishermen by Kumbalam panchayat
on the banks of Vembanad lake, Kerala is in the eye of the storm. People have approached
Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) pointing out that the construction
is in outright violation of the CRZ and Ramsar site norms.
 Maharashtra has granted coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearances to the National Highway
Authority of India (NHAI) to cut 1,001 mangrove trees for the eight-lane Mumbai-
Vadodara Expressway, which will pass through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The maximum mangrove losses would occur at Navghar and Vadiv villages in Palghar,
falling under the Safale forest range. As per NHAI, they are ready for compensatory
afforestation as much as 10 times the mangroves lost.
 In a gross violation of environmental norms, tonnes of construction waste has been dumped
in a notified turtle nesting area on Marina beach, Chennai. The area where the debris is
being dumped falls under CRZ 1(A) of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification,
which is an ecologically sensitive area and activities like the dumping of construction waste
are strictly prohibited. The concerned authorities had assured to rectify the problem.
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CONCLUSION

A strict coastal policy must be implemented in order to protect nature and the population. To ensure
the continued use of coastal zones, the government should create comprehensive legislation for
coastal regions and encourage a larger role for local organisations and more community
involvement in coastal area governance.

Management of the coastal zone depends on the knowledge available on different aspects of coastal
ecosystems, coastal processes, natural hazards and their impacts, quality of water and living
resources. Successful management practices rely on the awareness and adequate response from the
government agencies concerned. Loss of coastal marine areas is growing crucial environmental
resources. Fish and shell populations could fall, and the shoreline could be destabilized.

In general, the relationship between wetland safety and fish stocks is linear. Wetlands, i.e. the wave
attenuation service which protects coasts from storms and tsunamis, provide the ecological
services. The relationship between this service area and the wetlands is non-linear. These
partnerships have management implications and should be taken into consideration.

We need to model the impacts of those processes and devise adaptation and mitigation strategies
for the coastal zone’s sustainable development. Geospatial information technology may make a
significant contribution to the creation of these models.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Environment Ministry notifies CRZ Regulations 2019; replaces CRZ norms of 2011". jagranjosh.com.
Retrieved 6 September 2020.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/governance/coastal-regulation-zone-notification-what-development-
are-we-clearing-our-coasts-for-63061

"Coastal Regulation Zone Notification: What development are we clearing our coasts for". DownToEarth.
Retrieved 4 September 2020.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SR NO. CHAPTERS PAGE NO.

1 INTRODUCTION
2 STATUS OF THE COASTAL ZONE
MANAGEMENT

3 COASTAL REGULATION ZONE

4 CLASSIFICATIONS OF COASTAL ZONES

UNDER CRZ NOTIFICATION 2011

5
THE COASTAL REGULATION ZONE
NOTIFICATION 2011 MADE THE
FOLLOWING CHANGES AS TABULATED
BELOW

6 CRZ I

7 IMPORTANCE OF COASTAL
REGULATION ZONE

8 COASTAL REGULATION ZONE (CRZ) –

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO
VIOLATIONS / CLEARANCES
9 CONCLUSION

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY