THE NEWS
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) has framed a draft Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, 2018.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CRZ
The important features of the new CRZ Notification, 2018 are as follows:
- High Tide Line (HTL): The HTL has been demarcated by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) and shall be reckoned as a universal standard for the HTL for all regulatory purposes.
- Hazard line: The mapping of Hazard Line has also been carried out by the Survey of India. However, it has been delinked from the CRZ regulatory regime and shall be used only as a took for Disaster Management and planning for adaptive and mitigation measures.
- No Development Zone (NDZ): A NDZ of 20 meters has been proposed to be stipulated for all Islands close to the mainland coast and for all Backward Islands in the mainland.
- CRZ-III: For CRZ-III areas, following two separate categories have been proposed:
- CRZ-III A- Densely populated rural areas with a population density of 2161 per square kilometre. Such areas shall have an NDZ 50 meters from the HTL as against 200 meters from the HTL stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011.
- CRZ-III B- Rural areas with a population density of below 2161 per square kilometre as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL.
- Simplified Procedure: Procedure for CRZ clearances has been simplified. Only those projects, which are located in the CRZ-1 & IV areas shall be dealt with for CRZ clearance by the MOEF&CC and for all other projects located in CRZ-II/III areas, CRZ clearance shall be considered at the level of the CZMA.
- Temporary Tourism Facilities: Temporary tourism facilities have been proposed in beaches and they are also proposed to be permissible in the No Development Zone (NDZ) of CRZ-III areas.
- In the case of National or State Level Highway passing through the NDZ in CRZ-III areas, temporary tourism facilities have been proposed to be taken up on the seaward side of the roads.
- On the landward side of such roads in the NDZ, tourism facilities have also been proposed to be permitted subject to the extant regulations of the concerned State.
- Limestone Mining: Regulated limestone mining is also proposed to be permitted, subject to strict Environmental safeguards, in areas adequately above the height of HTL.
MAJOR CHANGES
The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification was the last reviewed and issued in 2011, with periodic amendments to some clauses. The major changes with respect to CRZ Notification, 2011 are as given below:
- As per CRZ Notification, 2011 for CRZ-II areas, Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) had been frozen at 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels.
- Now, in the draft CRZ Notification, 2018, it has been proposed to de-freeze the same and permits FSI for construction projects.
- Allowing tourism activities: Eco-tourism activities- Mangrove walks, tree huts, and others are permitted, in subjected areas, which are not permitted in CRZ Notification, 2011.
- Reduction in HTL limit: As per the current law, CRZ, 2011, coastal region is the region from the HTL to 100 m of the creek or the width of the creek, whichever is less. The CRZ, 2018 have reduced this limit to 50 meters or the width of the creek, whichever is less.
ABOUT CRZ
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is the coastal land up to 500m from the HTL and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks, estuaries and rivers subject to tidal fluctuations.
- They have been placed in the following four categories:
- CRZ I: Ecologically sensitive areas lie between 0 to 100 metres.
- CRZ II: Covers area close to the shoreline
- CRZ III: Between 100 metre to 500 metre
- CRZ IV: Aquatic area to the territorial limits.
COMMITTEE
- The Environment Ministry had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr Shailesh Nayak to examine the various issues and concerns of Coastal States/UTs and various other stakeholders, to recommend appropriate changes in the CRZ Notification, 2011.
BENEFITS
- Economic Growth: The new proposal will make India’s coast more accessible to tourism and industrial infrastructure, which will lead to a boost to economic growth.
- ‘State’- Deciding authority: Moreover, it will also give individual states the power to decide on their own about any development in the region.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The draft CRZ Notification, 2018 is prepared for India’s 7,500km coastline, it encompasses protection of ecologically sensitive areas, safeguarding aquatic system and marine life, plastic waste disposal, and simultaneously allowing eco-tourism and development of coastal zones. The recommendations, suggestions and objections from the public, on the draft will be examine by the committee under the ministry one more time and after proper examining a final notification will be issued.
