Introduction :- 

To conserve and protect the coastal environment, and to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, notified the CRZ Notification in 1991, subsequently revised in 2011. Various Coastal States/UTs, besides other stakeholders, were demanding for a comprehensive review of the CRZ Notification, 2011, particularly related to the management and conservation of marine and coastal eco-systems, development in coastal areas, eco-tourism, livelihood option and sustainable development of coastal communities etc.

In June 2014, Shailesh Nayak Committee was constituted by the MoEFCC to review the the CRZ Notification, 2011. Government in April 2018, released a draft notification on coastal regulation zone taking inputs from states/UTs and recommendations of Shailesh Nayak Committee.

The MoEFCC declares the coastal stretches and the water area up to territorial water limit, excluding the islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep and the marine areas surrounding these islands, as Coastal Regulation Zone as under:

• Land area from High Tide Line (HTL) to 500 mts on the landward side.
• Land area between HTL to 50 mts or width of the creek whichever is less on the landward side along the tidal influenced water bodies connected to the sea.
• The intertidal zone i.e. land area between the HTL and the Low Tide Line( LTL).
• The water and the bed area between the LTL to the territorial water limit (12 Nautical miles (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.

Classification of the CRZ :-

• CRZ-I areas are environmentally most critical and are classified as under: CRZ-I A: The ecologically sensitive areas and the geomorphological features which play a role in the maintaining the integrity of the coast viz. Mangroves; Corals and coral reefs; Sand Dunes; Biologically active Mudflats; Salt Marshes; Turtle nesting grounds; protected areas etc ; CRZ-I B: The intertidal zone.
• CRZ-II: The developed land areas up to or close to the shoreline, within the existing municipal limits or in other existing legally designated urban areas.
• CRZ-III: Land areas that are relatively undisturbed (viz rural areas etc) and those do not fall under CRZ-II. CRZ-III is further classified as: ;CRZ-III A: Areas with population density more than 2161 per sq km as per 2011 census ; CRZ-III B: areas with population density of less than 2161 per sq km, as per 2011 census.
• CRZ- IV: It constitutes the water area and further classified as: CRZ- IV A: The water area and the sea bed area between the LTL up to 12Nm on the seaward side ; CRZ- IV B: the water area and the bed area between LTL at the bank of the tidal influenced water body to the LTL on the opposite side of the bank, extending from the mouth of the water body at the sea up to the influence of tide, i.e., salinity of five parts per thousand (ppt) during the driest season of the year.

Salient Features :

• Easing FSI norms: This notification de-freezes the restrictions imposed on Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) under CRZ, 2011 in accordance to 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels.
• No development zone (NDZ) reduced for densely populated areas: For CRZ-III areas CRZ-III A areas shall have a NDZ of 50 meters from the HTL on the landward side as against 200 meters from the HTL stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011. CRZ-III B areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL.
• Tourism infrastructure for basic amenities to be promoted: The notification allows for temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc on beaches at a minimum distance of 10 metres from HTL. Such temporary tourism facilities are also now permissible in the NDZ of the CRZ-III areas.
• CRZ Clearances streamlined: CRZ clearances are needed only for projects located in CRZ-I and CRZ IV. States to have the powers for clearances w.r.t CRZ-II and III with necessary guidance.
• NDZ of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands: in the wake of space limitations and unique geography and to bring uniformity in treatment of such regions.
• All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accorded special importance: Through Specific guidelines related to their conservation and management plans.
• Pollution abatement has been accorded special focus: By permitting construction of treatment facilities in CRZ-I B area subject to necessary safeguards.
• Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation.

Benefits :

• Enhanced activities in the coastal regions thereby promoting economic growth while also respecting the conservation principles of coastal regions.
• Boost tourism in terms of more activities, more infrastructure and more opportunities in creating employment opportunities and greater opportunities for development of densely populated rural areas in the CRZs.
• CRZ, 2018 is also in sync with the thrust being given to port-led industrialisation and the Coastal Economic Zones projects.
• Additional opportunities for affordable housing which will benefit not only the housing sector but the people at large looking for shelter.
• It is expected to rejuvenate the coastal areas while reducing their vulnerabilities.

Concerns :-
The new notification has done away with or diluted many stringent restrictions in place at coastal areas. The emphasis of the new CRZ norms is on promotion of tourism facilities, quicker dispensation of defence and strategic projects and liberal licensing for the installation of treatment plants.

• Eco-sensitive regions could see flurry of construction activity thereby hampering the coastal eco system and biodiversity.
• The notification violates the balance between ecosystem and development. The mandatory 50 m buffer zone for mangrove forest in private land with an expanse of more than 1,000 sq m has been done away with.
• The fishermen are worried that the entry of the tourism sector will attract the real estate lobbies, who will eventually displace the coastal community and deny them the access to the seas.
• Further, the reduction of NDZ is done without taking consideration of sea level rise. The coastline is already vulnerable due to erosion, fresh water crisis and loss of livelihoods. The new changes will only increase this vulnerability and promote commercialisation of the coast.
• The Hazard Line, mapped by the Survey of India has, however, been de-linked from the CRZ regulatory regime and will be used only as a tool for disaster management and planning of adaptive and mitigation measures.
• The treatment facilities, allowed in CRZ-I to reduce coastal pollution, means several ecologically fragile areas will have sewage treatment plants transferring pollution from land to sea.
• The notification permits activities like reclamation of land for commercial activities, interference with sand dunes, large scale recreation and drawing of ground water within the 200-500 metres from the HTL, which is
  detrimental to the coastal ecology and that will displace the local communities and affect the bio-diversity.

Conclusion :-

The sustainable management depends on the nature of the social system, comprising political, economic and industrial infrastructure and its linkages, with the knowledge about coastal systems as well as local communities. India need to move from a purely regulatory approach towards an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).