What was the purpose behind the Coastal Zone Regulation Notification, 2011?

In order to ensure livelihood security to the fisher communities, and other local communities, living in the coastal areas, to conserve and protect coastal stretches, its unique environment and its marine area, and to promote development through sustainable manner based on scientific principles taking into account the dangers of natural hazards in the coastal areas, sea level rise due to global warming. It shall restrict the setting up and expansion of any industry, operations or processes and manufacture or handling or storage or disposal of hazardous substances.

What areas are designated as CRZ?

1. Land area from High Tide Line to 500 mts on the landward side along the sea front.
2. Land area between HTL to 100 mts or width of the creek whichever is less on the landward side along the tidal influenced water bodies.
3. Land area falling between the hazard line and 500 mts from HTL on the landward side, in case of seafront and between the hazard line and 100 mts in case of tidal influenced water body.
4. The land area between HTL and Low Tide Line
5. The water and bed area between LTL to the territorial water limit in case of the sea and the water and the bed area between LTL at the bank to the LTL in the opposite side of the bank, of tidal influenced water bodies.

What activities are prohibited within CRZ?

The following activities are prohibited within CRZ:

1. Setting up of new industries and expansion of existing industries
2. Manufacture or handling oil storage or disposal of hazardous substances
3. Setting up and expansion of fish processing units
4. Land reclamation , bunding or disturbing the natural course of seawater
5. Setting up and expansion of units or mechanism for disposal of wastes and effluents
6. Discharge of untreated waste and effluents from industries, cities, or towns and other human settlements.
7. Dumping of city or town wastes for the purpose of land filling and the like.
8. Port and harbour projects in high eroding stretches of the coast.
9. Reclamation for commercial purposes (shopping, housing complexes. Hotels, entertainment activities)
10. Mining of sand, rocks and other sub-strata material
11. Drawl of groundwater and construction related thereto within 200 mts of HTL
12. Construction activities
13. Dressing or altering the sand dunes, hills, natural features including landscape changes for beautification, recreation etc.
14. Facilities required for patrolling and vigilance activities of marine/coastal police station.

But then it is to be noted that, all these prohibited activities have certain exceptions listed out individually.

Is there any classification of the CRZ areas?

Yes. The CRZ areas are classified into four categories:

1. CRZ-I: The areas that are ecologically sensitive and where the geomorphological features play a role in maintaining the integrity of the coast (Example : Mangroves, corals, sand dunes, biologically active mudflats etc.). This also includes the area between the Low Tide Line and the High Tide Line.
2. CRZ-II: The areas that have been developed up to or close to the shoreline.
3. CRZ-III : Areas that are relatively undisturbed and those do not belong to either CRZ-I or II which include coastal zone in the rural areas and also areas within municipal limits or in other legally designated urban area which are not substantially built up.
4.  CRZ-IV: This includes the water area from the Low Tide Line to 12 NM on the seaward side, as well as the water area of the tidal influenced water body from the mouth of the water body at the sea up to the influence of tide.

What is the purpose of this classification?

It is according to these classifications, that further restrictions with regard to the construction of activities are imposed.

Are there any special CRZ rules for specific coastal areas?

Yes. There are two states, Kerala because of its unique coastal systems of backwater and backwater islands, certain activities are regulated.

In the case of Goa too, owing to its past history and other developments, certain additional activities are also regulated.

In addition to these two states, critical vulnerable coastal areas are also identified such as the Sunderbans and other ecologically sensitive areas which are to be managed with the involvement of the local coastal communities.

What is the process for obtaining clearance for the permissible activities?

1. The project proponent shall apply to the Coastal Zone Management Authority.
2. This CZMA shall examine the documents in accordance with the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan and make recommendations within sixty days from the date of receipt of the complete application.
3. MoEF&CC or the SEIAA then shall consider the project for clearance based on recommendations of the CZMA within sixty days.

Is there any post-clearance monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance?

Yes, it is mandatory for the project proponent to submit half yearly compliance reports in respect of the stipulated terms and conditions of the environmental clearance on 1^st June and 31^st December of each year, which shall be published in public domain.