Maarg Manthan · Topic 13.15

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011

Environment & Ecology › Air, Marine, Noise and Other Pollution · Topic 13.15

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on 6 January 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to replace the CRZ Notification of 1991. It aims to protect livelihoods of coastal communities, conserve coastal and marine areas and promote development in a sustainable way, taking climate change into account. The CRZ is the land area from the high tide line (HTL) up to 500 metres on the landward side, the land along tidal-influenced water bodies up to 100 metres or the width of the creek, whichever is less, the intertidal zone between HTL and low tide line, and the water area up to the territorial limit of 12 nautical miles. The zone is divided into CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves, corals, sand dunes and turtle nesting grounds, and the intertidal zone), CRZ-II (built-up urban areas up to the shoreline), CRZ-III (undeveloped rural areas, with a No Development Zone of 200 metres from the HTL) and CRZ-IV (water area). Special provisions apply to Goa, Kerala, Mumbai and the islands. The 2011 notification was replaced by the CRZ Notification, 2019.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Air, Marine, Noise and Other Pollution

At a Glance

Issued 6 January 2011
Under Environment Protection Act 1986
Replaced CRZ 1991
NDZ in CRZ-III 200 m from HTL
Replaced by CRZ 2019
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Air, Marine, Noise and Other Pollution

Where Does It Fit?

This topic completes the marine pollution sequence by showing the legal framework for coastal protection. It comes before the macro’s topics on noise and other pollution types. Previous topic: Ennore 2017 Microplastics Below 5 mm Garbage patch Great…">Oil Spills, Ocean Trash and Debris, Microplastics. Next topic: Noise Pollution: Causes, Levels and Health Effects.

What Are the Zones Under CRZ 2011?

Zone	Description and rules
CRZ-I	Ecologically sensitive areas (mangroves, corals, sand dunes, salt marshes, turtle nesting grounds, national parks and sanctuaries) and the intertidal zone; very limited activities; no new construction except specified ones
CRZ-II	Urban built-up areas up to or near the shoreline; construction allowed landward of existing roads or buildings under rules; FSI as per local rules
CRZ-III	Rural and undeveloped areas; No Development Zone up to 200 metres from HTL, with limited activities; 200 to 500 metres allowed for some construction under conditions
CRZ-IV	Water area from the low tide line to 12 nautical miles and tidal water bodies; fishing and some activities allowed, with limits on waste discharge and no dumping
Extent	500 m from HTL on land; 100 m along tidal rivers and creeks or the width of the creek if less
Coastal Zone Management Plans	States prepare CZMPs to map zones with ecological features, approved by the central government
Prohibited activities	New industries, hazardous waste disposal, land reclamation, mining of sand and corals, discharge of untreated waste and others

What Special Provisions and Changes Exist?

Special areas: Kerala backwaters, Goa and Mumbai were given tailored provisions
Islands: Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands had special rules based on island management plans
Critically vulnerable coastal areas: Sundarbans and others identified as CVCAs
Fishing communities: traditional dwellings and activities of fishers protected
Climate: hazard line and sea level rise considered
Clearance: projects need CRZ clearance from state coastal zone authorities or the central ministry
Earlier law: CRZ 1991 had been amended many times and was criticised
Later changes: Notification of 2018 and the CRZ Notification, 2019 replaced the 2011 rules and eased rules for tourism and building

What Else Should You Remember?

High tide line (HTL): the line on land up to which the highest high tide reaches during spring tides
Low tide line (LTL): the line up to which the sea recedes at the lowest tide
Intertidal zone: the area between HTL and LTL
Territorial waters: 12 nautical miles from the coast
Swaminathan Committee 2005: a review of the CRZ 1991 after the tsunami led to the idea of integrated coastal zone management
Integrated Coastal Zone Management: a broad approach covering land and sea
Shailesh Nayak Committee: 2014 committee reviewed the 2011 notification and proposed changes
CZMA: Coastal Zone Management Authority at the state and central levels
NCZMA: National Coastal Zone Management Authority
NCSCM: National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai, which maps the coast
Hazard line: a line showing the coast at risk of floods and erosion, mapped by Survey of India
Eco-sensitive: CRZ-I areas are the most protected
Allowed activities in CRZ-I: limited ones such as fishing facilities, defence and strategic projects
Building height: limits and floor space index set by local authority
Special provisions Mumbai: redevelopment of old buildings allowed with norms
Goa: special rules for traditional communities and fishing villages
Kerala backwaters: CRZ distance reduced to a smaller strip with rules for tourism
Tourism: beach resorts need approval and may not be built in CRZ-I
Ports and defence: permitted with clearance
Common violations: illegal buildings, sand mining and reclamation have been reported in many places
Court cases: courts have ordered demolition of illegal constructions in the CRZ, as in Maradu in Kerala in 2020
Link to previous: see Oil Spills, Ocean Trash and Debris, Microplastics
Link to next: see Noise Pollution: Causes, Levels and Health Effects
Link to CRZ in law: see Coastal Regulation Zone Notification
Caution: the 2011 notification has been replaced, so use the 2019 rules for the current position and the 2011 text for historical study
Exam hint: memorise the zone definitions and distances and note that CRZ 2019 is now in force

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Issued: 2011
Replaced: CRZ 1991
NDZ: 200 m in CRZ-III
Current affairs link: CRZ 2019 and demolitions
Common errors: treating the 2011 rules as current

As an analytical point, the CRZ rules balance fishing communities, ecology and development on a thin strip of land under great pressure. Their value depends on accurate zone maps and firm action against violations.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Aim Protect coast
Zones I to IV
Status Replaced 2019

What Came Next?

The next topic covers noise pollution: causes, levels and health effects. Next topic: Noise Pollution: Causes, Levels and Health Effects.

Key People and Terms

CRZ Coastal Regulation Zone
HTL High tide line
LTL Low tide line
NDZ No Development Zone
CZMP Coastal Zone Management Plan
CVCA Critically vulnerable coastal area

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

CRZ 2011 issued 6 January 2011.
CRZ-I: sensitive areas.
CRZ-III NDZ: 200 m.
Land limit: 500 m from HTL.
Replaced by CRZ 2019.

Do Not Confuse With

CRZ-II and CRZ-III Urban built-up versus rural undeveloped
HTL and LTL Highest versus lowest tide line
CRZ 2011 and 2019 Replaced versus current notification

Memory Hook

Eleven rewrote ninety-one: sensitive one, urban two, rural three with two hundred metres, water four.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for zones and distances. These points help.

Zones Four
Aim Balance
Change 2019

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Explain the classification of the coastal zone under the CRZ Notification, 2011 and discuss how later changes have affected coastal regulation.”

How to Answer

Aim Protect, livelihood.
Zones I to IV.
Rules NDZ, CZMP.
Change 2019.

GS Relevance

Prelims: CRZ categories, distances, NDZ. GS Paper 3: coastal regulation and environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Coastal Regulation Zone?

The Coastal Regulation Zone is the strip of land and water along the coast regulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to protect coastal ecology and livelihoods and guide development. It covers land up to a set distance from the high tide line, tidal water bodies, the intertidal zone and the sea to 12 nautical miles.

What are the CRZ categories under the 2011 notification?

CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas and the intertidal zone, CRZ-II covers built-up urban shoreline areas, CRZ-III covers rural and undeveloped areas with a No Development Zone of 200 metres from the high tide line, and CRZ-IV covers the water area up to 12 nautical miles and tidal water bodies. Special rules apply for Goa, Kerala, Mumbai and islands.

What is the No Development Zone in CRZ-III?

In CRZ-III areas under the 2011 notification, the No Development Zone extends up to 200 metres from the high tide line, in which new construction is not allowed except for limited activities such as fishing infrastructure and approved projects. Between 200 and 500 metres, construction is allowed with conditions on height and density.

Why was the CRZ Notification of 2011 issued?

It was issued to replace the CRZ Notification of 1991, which had been amended many times and was seen as hard to enforce and weak in protecting fishing communities. It followed the recommendations of the Swaminathan committee and the experience of the 2004 tsunami, and added special provisions for fishers and critically vulnerable coastal areas.

How was the CRZ 2011 notification changed later?

The CRZ Notification of 2018 and then the CRZ Notification of 2019 replaced the 2011 rules. They relaxed some restrictions, for example reduced no-development zones in certain areas and permitted more tourism and housing activity, while retaining protection for ecologically sensitive areas, and aimed to improve clarity and speed of clearance.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 CRZ 2011 replaced the CRZ Notification of 1991.

True

Issued on 6 January 2011.

2 CRZ-III covers urban built-up areas.

False

It covers rural undeveloped areas.

3 The NDZ in CRZ-III was 200 metres in 2011.