Maarg Manthan · Topic 17.7

Coastal Regulation Zone Notification

Environment & Ecology › Environmental Acts, Policies and EIA · Topic 17.7

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification is the main legal instrument regulating development along India's coast. It is issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The first notification, issued on 19 February 1991, banned new industries and expansion in a zone 500 metres from the high tide line and divided the coast into CRZ-I to IV. It was amended many times and replaced by the CRZ Notification of 2011, which recognised fishing communities' rights and added Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas and special provisions. The CRZ Notification, 2018 and then the CRZ Notification, 2019, issued on 18 January 2019, now apply. Under the 2019 rules, the zones are CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive: CRZ-IA includes mangroves, corals, sand dunes, turtle nesting grounds; CRZ-IB is the intertidal zone), CRZ-II (developed urban areas up to the shoreline), CRZ-III (rural areas, split into CRZ-IIIA, densely populated rural areas with density above 2,161 per sq km, with a No Development Zone of 50 metres, and CRZ-IIIB, other rural areas, with 200 metres) and CRZ-IV (water area, IVA up to 12 nautical miles and IVB tidal-influenced water bodies). The CRZ extends 500 metres landward from the high tide line and 50 metres or the width of the creek along tidal water bodies. Coastal Zone Management Plans prepared by states guide implementation.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Environmental Acts, Policies and EIA

At a Glance

First notification 19 February 1991
Current notification CRZ 2019 (18 January 2019)
Extent 500 m from HTL
NDZ 50 m or 200 m in CRZ-III
Plan Coastal Zone Management Plan
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Environmental Acts, Policies and EIA

Where Does It Fit?

This topic traces the CRZ rules across their versions, following the Forest Rights Act in the macro on acts and policies. It builds on the details of the 2011 notification covered earlier. Previous topic: Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Next topic: Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.

How Have the CRZ Rules Evolved?

Version	Key features
CRZ 1991	First coastal rule; 500 m from HTL; four zones; no new industries in the zone; criticised as inflexible and often amended
Swaminathan Committee, 2005	Reviewed after the 2004 tsunami and proposed integrated coastal zone management
CRZ 2011	Replaced the 1991 rule; added protection for fishing communities and Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas; NDZ of 200 m in CRZ-III
Shailesh Nayak Committee, 2014	Reviewed the 2011 notification and suggested changes
CRZ 2018 and 2019	Eased restrictions: CRZ-III split into IIIA and IIIB, lower NDZ in dense rural areas, floor space index freed in CRZ-II, more tourism activities
CZMPs	State plans prepared with NCSCM and approved by the Centre
Island Protection Zone	Separate rules for Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep

What Are the 2019 Zones and Rules?

CRZ-IA: ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves, corals, sand dunes, salt marshes and turtle nesting grounds; no new construction
CRZ-IB: intertidal zone between HTL and LTL
CRZ-II: developed and built-up shore; building allowed under rules
CRZ-IIIA: densely populated rural areas above 2,161 persons per sq km; NDZ of 50 m from HTL
CRZ-IIIB: other rural areas; NDZ of 200 m from HTL
CRZ-IVA: water area from LTL to 12 nautical miles
CRZ-IVB: tidal-influenced water bodies
Extent: 500 m from HTL on land, and 50 m or creek width along tidal waters

What Else Should You Remember?

Statutory basis: Sections 3(1) and 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rule 5(3)(d) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986
1991 context: after the Swaminathan Committee on coastal environment
Foreshore facilities: ports, harbours, jetties and shipping allowed
Prohibited: new industries, waste disposal, land reclamation, mining of sand and corals, and fish processing without effluent treatment
CZMP 1996 and 2011: earlier plans
CZMP 2019: maps prepared at a scale of 1:25,000
NCSCM: National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai, which helps with mapping
ICZM: Integrated Coastal Zone Management project supported by the World Bank in Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal
Hazard line: Survey of India’s line for flooding and erosion risk
Eco-sensitive: CRZ-IA includes protected areas, with 50 m buffer around mangroves of 1,000 sq m and above
Pollution abatement: sewage treatment plants and other facilities allowed
Tourism: temporary shacks allowed on beaches under rules
Fisher rights: traditional fishers’ dwellings protected
Exemptions: defence and strategic projects
Criticism of 2019: fear of weaker protection for mangroves and fishing communities
Court cases: Maradu apartments in Kerala were demolished in 2020 for CRZ violation
Supreme Court 1996: Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action case, aquaculture ban in CRZ
NGT: has dealt with many CRZ cases
State Coastal Zone Management Authorities: grant clearance for small projects
National Coastal Zone Management Authority: for bigger projects
Link to previous: see Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Link to next: see Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010
Link to CRZ 2011: see Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011
Caution: CRZ 2019 has been amended and challenged in court, so check the current text
Exam hint: remember 1991, 2011 and 2019 with zone names and the two NDZ distances

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

First: 1991
Current: 2019
NDZ: 50 m and 200 m
Current affairs link: Coastal Zone plans
Common errors: mixing 2011 and 2019 zone names

As an analytical point, each new version of the CRZ rules has tried to balance ecology, fishers’ livelihoods and development. Strong zone maps, firm enforcement and respect for mangroves and fishing communities decide whether the rules work.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Aim Protect coast
History 1991, 2011, 2019
Tool CZMP

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010. Next topic: Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.

Key People and Terms

CRZ Coastal Regulation Zone
HTL High tide line
NDZ No Development Zone
CZMP Coastal Zone Management Plan
CVCA Critically Vulnerable Coastal Area
ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

CRZ versions: 1991, 2011, 2019.
Extent: 500 m from HTL.
NDZ: 50 m in IIIA, 200 m in IIIB.
Issued under EPA 1986.
CZMP guides clearance.

Do Not Confuse With

CRZ-IIIA and CRZ-IIIB Dense rural 50 m versus other rural 200 m
CRZ 2011 and 2019 Older versus current rules
CRZ-IA and CRZ-IB Sensitive ecosystems versus intertidal zone

Memory Hook

Ninety-one began, eleven reformed, nineteen eased: fifty or two hundred metres.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for versions and zones. These points help.

Evolution Three versions
Zones I to IV
Debate Ease versus protect

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Trace the evolution of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification and critically evaluate the CRZ Notification, 2019.”

How to Answer

History 1991, 2011.
2019 Zones.
Debate Ease.
Way Enforce.

GS Relevance

Prelims: zones, NDZ, history. GS Paper 3: coastal regulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the first CRZ Notification issued?

The first Coastal Regulation Zone Notification was issued on 19 February 1991 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It declared the coastal stretch up to 500 metres from the high tide line a regulated zone, banned new industries there, and divided it into four categories. It was replaced by the 2011 notification and later by the 2019 notification.

What are the CRZ categories in the 2019 notification?

CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas (IA) and the intertidal zone (IB). CRZ-II covers developed urban shoreline. CRZ-III covers rural areas and is split into IIIA, densely populated rural areas, and IIIB, other rural areas. CRZ-IV covers water areas, IVA up to 12 nautical miles and IVB tidal-influenced water bodies.

What is the No Development Zone under CRZ 2019?

The No Development Zone is the strip near the high tide line where new construction is generally prohibited. In CRZ-IIIA, which are densely populated rural areas with more than 2,161 persons per square kilometre, it is 50 metres from the high tide line, and in CRZ-IIIB, which are other rural areas, it is 200 metres.

What is a Coastal Zone Management Plan?

A Coastal Zone Management Plan is a map-based plan prepared by each coastal state or union territory marking CRZ categories and sensitive areas on a large scale, so landowners and authorities know what is allowed. Experts such as the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management help, and the Centre approves it.

What is the criticism of the CRZ 2019 notification?

Critics say it relaxed protection by cutting the No Development Zone in dense rural areas, allowing more tourism and building, and giving less weight to fishers and mangroves. Supporters say it simplifies rules and clarifies zones. Amendments and court challenges continue, so check the current text.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The first CRZ notification was issued in 1991.

True

On 19 February.

2 CRZ 2019 NDZ is 200 m in all rural areas.

False

50 m in dense CRZ-IIIA.

3 The CRZ is regulated under the EPA 1986.