Environment & Forests
Coastal Regulation Zone
DEFINITION
The Coastal regulation zone is the boundary from the high tide line upto 500m in the land -ward area between the low tide line and high tide line. In the case of rivers, creeks and backwaters, the distance from the high tide level shall apply to both sides and this distance shall not be less than 100 meters or the width of the creek, river or backwater whichever is less.( Ministry of Environment and Forests Notification, Feb 1994).There are four type of category in coastal regulation zone .
CATEGORIES
Category - I (CRZ I)
Areas that are ecologically sensitive and important such as national parks, marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats, mangroves, corals/coral reefs, areas close to breeding and spawning grounds of fish and other marine life, areas of outstanding natural beauty. historically important and heritage areas, area rich in genetic diversity, areas likely to be inundated due to rise in sea level consequent upon global warming and such other areas as notified by government from time to time .
Category - II (CRZ I I)
Areas that have already been developed up to or close to the shoreline. For this purpose, âdeveloped areaâ is referred to as an area within the municipal limits or other legally designated urban areas which is already substantially built up and which has been provided with drainage and approach roads and other infrastructure facilities such as water supply and sewerage lines.
Category - III (CRZ III)
Areas that are relatively undisturbed and those which do not belong to either I or II. These include coastal zone in the rural areas developed or undeveloped, and also areas within municipal limits or in other legally designated urban areas which are not substantially built up.
Category - IV (CRZ IV)
Coastal stretches in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and other small islands except those designated as category I, II and III.
COASTAL ZONE PROBLEMS
The following factors contribute to the environment degradation of coastal zones:
1. Population pressure
2. Wastewater disposal
3. Destruction of mangroves
4. Increasing Urbanization
5. Solid waste disposal
6. Coastal constructions
7. Natural Disasters
8. Impact of ports
9. Coastal erosion
10. Atmospheric pollution
11. Impact of aquaculture
12. Impact of tourism
13. Ingress of seawater
14. Coastal mining
15. Impact of power plants
16. Sea Level rise and
17. Coastal highways
Download The Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications - PDF 117KB
