COASTAL REGULATION ZONE (CRZ) NOTIFICATION, 2018

Salient Features:

• Allowing FSI as per current norms in CRZ areas: As per CRZ, 2011 Notification, for CRZ-II (Urban) areas, Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) had been frozen as per 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels. CRZ, 2018 Notification, de-freezes the same.
  
  
• Densely populated rural areas to be afforded greater opportunity for development: For CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate categories have now been stipulated as below:
  • CRZ-III A - These are densely populated rural areas with a population density of 2161 per square kilometre as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall have a No Development Zone (NDZ) of 50 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL).
    
    
  • CRZ-III B - Rural areas with population density of below 2161 per square kilometre as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL.
    
    
  
  
  
• Tourism infrastructure for basic amenities to be promoted: Temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms etc. have now been permitted in Beaches. However, a minimum distance of 10 m from HTL should be maintained.
  
  
• Procedure for CRZ Clearances streamlined: Only such projects/activities, which are located in the CRZ-I (Ecologically Sensitive Areas) and CRZ IV (area covered between Low Tide Line and 12 Nautical Miles seaward) shall be dealt with for CRZ clearance by the Ministry of Environment.
  
  
• A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands
  
  
• All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accorded special importance: Specific guidelines related to their conservation and management plans have been drawn up.
  
  
• Pollution abatement has been accorded special focus: Treatment facilities have been made permissible activities in CRZ-I B area subject to necessary safeguards.
  
  
• Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation.
  
  

Comment:

• Background: The draft notification incorporates the recommendations made by the Shailesh Nayank Committee, which submitted its report in 2015.
  
  
• Benefits: The proposed CRZ Notification, 2018 will lead to enhanced activities in the coastal regions thereby promoting economic growth while also respecting the conservation principles of coastal regions.