Guidelines for Updation of Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) Prepared as per CRZ Notification, 2011 to Align it with CRZ Notification, 2019
The Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, IA. III Division, issued Office Memorandum File Number 12-1/2019-IA III on 26 June 2019, providing guidelines for coastal States, including Tamil Nadu, to update their Coastal Zone Management Plans under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019. The memorandum records that the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 has been superseded by Notification Number G.S.R. 37(E), dated 18 January 2019, and requires existing plans to be revised, consulted on and submitted for final approval.
What the guidelines govern
The Guidelines for Updation of Coastal Zone Management Plan require every coastal State and Union territory to update the plan prepared under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. The revised plan must follow the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 and be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for final approval.
For Tamil Nadu property owners, buyers and professionals, the updated plan is relevant because Coastal Zone Management Plans identify and classify regulated coastal areas. The source states that these plans are used for appraisal and subsequent approvals of development projects covered by coastal regulation requirements.
Mapping and information requirements
The Guidelines for Updation of Coastal Zone Management Plan require an authorised agency identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to carry out the revision. Draft plans must be prepared at a scale of 1:25,000.
Key mapping requirements include:
- High Tide Line, Low Tide Line, Ecologically Sensitive Areas and Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas demarcated by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai.
- The Hazard Line demarcated by the Survey of India.
- Cadastral maps showing survey number information.
- Village survey numbers relating to government land, including taluk and village details.
- Fishing zones, fish breeding areas, authorised seaward structures and infrastructure used for rescue and relief.
- Roads, jetties, ports, fish landing centres, cyclone shelters, rain shelters and helipads.
Coastal classifications and buffers
The Guidelines for Updation of Coastal Zone Management Plan specify these revised No Development Zones or buffers:
- Tidally influenced water bodies, 50 metres or the width of the creek, whichever is less.
- CRZ-IIIA sea front areas, 50 metres.
- CRZ-IIIB sea front areas, 200 metres.
- Inland islands in coastal backwaters and islands along the mainland coast, 20 metres.
Rural or urban areas with a population density above 2,161 persons per square kilometre are classified as CRZ-IIIA. Remaining CRZ-III areas are classified as CRZ-IIIB. Existing CRZ-II areas mapped under the 2011 notification must be retained without change, although new CRZ-II areas may be added.
Consultation and approval
The updated draft Coastal Zone Management Plan must be published on the website of the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority and widely publicised for suggestions and objections. After State-level finalisation, the plan is submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, referred for technical scrutiny through a committee constituted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai, and then placed before the National Coastal Zone Management Authority for consideration and decision.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can the updated Coastal Zone Management Plan affect how my coastal survey number is classified?
Yes. The plan must superimpose cadastral maps containing survey number information and classify coastal land under the applicable Coastal Regulation Zone categories.
What is the No Development Zone for a CRZ-IIIA sea front area?
The guidelines specify a 50 metre No Development Zone for CRZ-IIIA sea front areas.
Will the public be able to object to Tamil Nadu's draft updated plan?
The draft must be published on the website of the relevant Coastal Zone Management Authority and widely publicised to invite suggestions and objections.
Who gives final approval to an updated Coastal Zone Management Plan?
The State submits the finalised draft to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It undergoes technical scrutiny and is then placed before the National Coastal Zone Management Authority for consideration and decision.
