Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 was notified in January, 2011 for the main land and also the Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification, 2011 for Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It replaced CRZ of 1991, which was amended for 25 times and needed an update.

Objectives

• Protection of livelihoods of traditional fisher folk communities
• Preservation of coastal ecology
• Promotion of economic activity that have necessarily to be located in coastal regions.

Limit of the CRZ Area

• CRZ area now includes the water area up to 12 nautical miles in the sea and the entire water area of a tidal water body such as creek, river, estuary, etc.

 Does the above area impose any restriction on Fishing activities?

• No, it does not impose any restrictions of fishing activities.

What is CZMP?

• The CRZ notification 2011 enshrines that concept of a Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP). It will be prepared with the fullest involvement and participation of local communities.

What is the definition of the No development Zone?

• The “no development zone” definition has been changed. It is reduced from 200 metres from the high-tide line to 100 meters only. This has been done to meet increased demands of housing of fishing and other traditional coastal communities.

Importance of CRZ Notification

• India has a long coastline of 7516 km, ranging from Gujarat to West Bengal, and two island archipelagos (Andaman Island and Lakshadweep). Our coastal ecosystems provide protection from natural disasters such as floods and tsunamis to the 250 million people who live in our coastal areas. Coastal waters provide a source of primary livelihood to 7 million households. Our marine ecosystems are a treasure trove of biodiversity, which we are only beginning to discover and catalogue.
• Thus, our coastline is both a precious natural resource and an important economic asset, and we need a robust progressive framework to regulate our coast.

What is allowed and what is not allowed in Coastal Zones?

Mining of limestone and other similar minerals is prohibited in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 and the recently issued CRZ Notification, 2011, prohibits the mining of sand, rocks and other substrata material including limestone except rare minerals like, monazite, rutile etc., and exploitation of oil and natural gas.

All activities which are permissible under these Notifications are required to obtain clearance under these Notifications. Mining of the sand, rocks and other substrata material is expected to cause damage to the Coastal environment including the Sea water intrusion.