Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ): Types, Reforms, Importance & More

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), introduced under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, aims to safeguard India’s coastal ecosystems while promoting sustainable development. It divides coastal areas into CRZ-I to CRZ-IV, balancing environmental conservation with activities like fishing, tourism, and infrastructure development. Key updates in the 2019 notification reduced the No Development Zone (NDZ) and encouraged tourism in certain areas.

Challenges in CRZ implementation include poor enforcement, conflicting interests, and frequent amendments. In recent years, there have been debates and calls for reforming the CRZ rules to enable more development in coastal regions, but also to make sure the environment is not harmed.

This article on Coastal Regulation Zone will help you to prepare for the Prelims and the Mains stage of the UPSC IAS Exam.

This article, created by the Testbook UPSC Coaching Team, will delve into the key aspects of the Coastal Regulation Zone.

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Recent Updates on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

 No Ex-Post Facto Clearance Allowed

In July 2021, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court stayed a memorandum from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), which had sought to legalize granting post facto environmental clearance for projects developed without approval under the EIA Notification, 2006.

The court declared the memorandum contrary to natural justice and a violation of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

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What is a Coastal Regulation Zone?

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) governs activities along India’s 7,516 km-long coastline to protect fragile ecosystems. It refers to a set of regulations enforced by the Government of India to conserve coastal areas and their ecosystems. These rules aim to strike a balance between development and environmental protection, especially near the coast.

Under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the CRZ notification was first issued in February 1991 to regulate coastal activities by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

High Tide Line (HTL) vs Low Tide Line (LTL)

• HTL (High Tide Line) – Marks the highest point reached by sea water during a spring tide.
• LTL (Low Tide Line) – Denotes the lowest point reached by sea water during a spring tide.

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Objectives of CRZ 2011

The goals of the 2011 CRZ Notification include:

• Environmental Protection – To conserve vulnerable coastal ecosystems by regulating disruptive activities like pollution, mining, and construction.
• Livelihood Security – To safeguard traditional rights and access to resources for local fishing communities.
• Sustainable Growth – To promote environmentally responsible development in coastal areas.

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Categories of Coastal Regulation Zones

As per CRZ guidelines, coastal areas are divided into four major zones:

CRZ-I

(Area between HTL and LTL)

• New constructions are prohibited within 500 metres of HTL.
• Salt extraction and natural gas exploration are permitted.

CRZ-II

(Already developed areas within municipal limits)

• New constructions must blend with the local landscape.
• Building construction is restricted on the seaward side of roads.
• Reconstruction of authorized buildings is permitted in line with FSI/FAR norms.

CRZ-III

(Undeveloped coastal areas)

• 0–200 m: Declared a No Development Zone (NDZ).
• 200–500 m: Construction of hotels and resorts permitted with MoEFCC approval.
• Residential structures for fishing communities allowed with traditional and legal rights.

CRZ-IV

(Coastal regions of Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and smaller islands)

• 0–200 m: Construction is prohibited.
• 200–500 m: Limited to 2 floors and 50% of the plot area, max 9 m height.
• Dredging and underwater blasting are banned.
• Beach sand and corals are not to be used for construction.

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CRZ Notification 2011: Key Reforms

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.

The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011 made the following changes as tabulated below:

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New Reforms in CRZ Notifications 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 salient features of the new reforms under CRZ Notification, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

What is Blue Flag Certification?

The Blue Flag Certification or Blue Flag tag is one of the world’s most recognised and well-known voluntary eco-labels. It is conferred to beaches, marinas, and sustainable eco-friendly boating tourism operators. The Blue flag programme started in France in 1985

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CRZ 2011 Clearance Procedure

Steps to obtain CRZ clearance:

1. Classification of the area under CRZ categories.
2.  
3. MoEFCC grants clearance for CRZ-I & CRZ-IV; CZMA clears CRZ-II & CRZ-III.
4.  
5. Proposal must include:
6.  
   • Project details and location
   •  
   • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
   •  
   • Disaster & Risk Management Report
   •  
   • HTL and LTL demarcated CRZ map
   •  
   • NOC from Pollution Control Boards
   •  
7. Evaluation by authority including site inspections.
8.  
9. Validity of granted clearance is 5 years.

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Shailesh Nayak Committee on CRZ

The Shailesh Nayak Committee, established by the Central Government in 2014, was tasked with reviewing the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 2011. The committee conducted a detailed evaluation and proposed several key reforms aimed at balancing coastal conservation with the development needs of coastal communities. The major recommendations included:

• Reduction of No Development Zone (NDZ): For rural regions with high population density, the committee recommended limiting the NDZ to 50 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL). In all other coastal zones, the NDZ should remain 200 metres from the HTL.
•  
• Promotion of Tourism Infrastructure: To encourage eco-tourism and local economic growth, the committee proposed allowing tourist facilities and temporary structures within the NDZ under regulated conditions.
•  
• Decentralisation of Authority: The report highlighted the need to empower local bodies, state governments, and Union Territories with greater decision-making powers for CRZ implementation—responding to long-standing demands from various states.
•  
• Protection of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs): It was suggested that important coastal habitats, including mangrove forests, coral reefs, and sandy beaches, should be classified as ESAs under CRZ-I, ensuring stronger legal protection.
•  
• Seabed Reclamation in CRZ-IV: In areas falling under CRZ-IV, especially around ports, fishing harbours, and coastal infrastructure, the committee recommended allowing seabed reclamation for development projects deemed essential for public use.
•  
• Housing and Coastal Infrastructure: The committee advocated for permitting the construction of housing units, slum redevelopment, as well as infrastructure related to tourism, ports, and fisheries across designated CRZ areas, provided that environmental safeguards are upheld.

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Special CRZ Provisions for Ecologically Sensitive Areas

The Sunderbans, Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Kutch, Malvan, and Achra-Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, along with Karwar and Coondapur in Karnataka, Vembanad in Kerala, Bhitarkanika in Odisha, Coringa in East Godavari, and the Krishna Delta in Andhra Pradesh, are set to be formally identified as Critical Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCAs). For each of these ecologically important regions, a tailored management plan will be prepared, shaped through active participation and consultation with local communities who depend on these coastal zones.

Meanwhile, the beaches of Mandrem, Morjim, Galgibaga, and Agonda in Goa have been recognised as key nesting grounds for turtles. These areas have been granted legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and therefore, any form of developmental activity is strictly prohibited to preserve the fragile nesting habitats.

Recent Violations and Issues

The issue of the Coastal Regulation Zone is always seen in the news due to violations of norms and various controversies. Some of the recent developments of which an aspirant must be aware for the exam are discussed below:

• CRZ norms violation suspected in construction of fishermen support centre at Kumbalam – Citizens have complained to the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) over the support centre’s development, claiming that it is blatantly in breach of the CRZ and Ramsar site standards.
• Mangroves trees to be lost after Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway gets CRZ nod – The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been authorised by Maharashtra to demolish 1,001 mangrove trees from coastal regulation zones (CRZ) in order to build an eight-lane expressway across the Mumbai Metropolitan Area (MMR). According to NHAI, they are prepared to replant up to 10 times as many mangroves as were lost as compensation.
• Construction waste has been dumped in a notified turtle nesting location on Marina beach – On Chennai’s Marina beach, tonnes of construction debris have been thrown within a designated turtle nesting area. The location of the debris dump is within the ecologically sensitive CRZ 1(A) of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.

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Importance of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

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:

• Biodiversity Protection: Safeguards mangroves and coral reefs that act as buffers.
• Climate Mitigation: Minimizes damage from rising sea levels and cyclones.
• Sustainable Development: Harmonizes coastal development with conservation.
• Livelihood Security: Uplifts coastal communities, especially fishers.

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Shortcomings of the CRZ Framework

The shortcomings and criticisms of the CRZ rules are as follows:

• Flagship Projects

Sagarmala, Bharatmala, and Central Economic Zones (CEZs) are strategic projects of the government. These are exempt from CRZ regulations, which have drawn criticism.

• Increased Coastal Vulnerabilities

Studies show that the frequency and severity of unseasonal and extreme weather events will rise in the coming decades. The sea level along India's coast is also rising annually.

• Risk to Inhabitants

Housing facilities just 50 meters from the coast expose residents to extreme weather conditions. They may lack adequate protection.

• Coastal Erosion

India has lost 45% of its coastline in a span of 17 years owing to coastal erosion. Activities like land reclamation and structures on the shore exacerbate this problem.

• Unscientific Approach

The government's demarcation of CRZ categories relies heavily on satellite images. This lacks much on-ground support.

Conclusion

A robust coastal policy is essential to protect India’s natural heritage and coastal populations. Comprehensive and enforceable legislation, increased community participation, and strong local governance mechanisms are key to sustainable coastal zone management.

We hope all your doubts related to the topic of the Coastal Regulation Zone are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for Civil services and various other competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, Gk and current affairs, mocks and so on.Ace your UPSC preparation with Testbook. Download the Testbook App now!