Notification Under Section 3(1) and Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rule 5(3)(d) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, Declaring Coastal Stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Regulating Activities in the CRZ

What the notification governs

Notification number S.O. 114(E), issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Department of Environment, Forests & Wildlife, covers coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters influenced by tidal action. It declares land up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line, and land between the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line, as the Coastal Regulation Zone.

The High Tide Line is the line reached by the highest high tide during spring tides. For rivers, creeks and backwaters, the regulated distance may be modified through Coastal Zone Management Plans, but it cannot be less than 100 metres or the width of the water body, whichever is less.

Who may be affected

Notification number S.O. 114(E) affects owners, buyers, developers, industries and public authorities dealing with land inside a Coastal Regulation Zone. Whether development is allowed depends on the coastal classification, the location in relation to the High Tide Line, the existing development and the proposed activity.

Coastal areas are classified as:

• CRZ-I, ecologically sensitive and important areas, and land between the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line.
• CRZ-II, substantially built-up urban areas with roads, drainage and other infrastructure.
• CRZ-III, relatively undisturbed areas and other areas not falling within CRZ-I or CRZ-II.
• CRZ-IV, specified island coastal stretches not classified in the other categories.

Key restrictions and development rules

Notification number S.O. 114(E) includes the following provisions:

• New industries and expansion of existing industries are prohibited unless they directly require waterfront or foreshore facilities.
• Untreated waste and effluent discharge, dumping of town waste, specified hazardous substances, certain mining, and alteration of sand dunes or natural features are prohibited.
• Construction between the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line is generally prohibited, subject to listed essential facilities.
• CRZ-I does not permit new construction within 500 metres of the High Tide Line.
• In CRZ-II, permitted buildings must be on the landward side of existing or approved roads or existing authorised structures, subject to local planning controls.
• In CRZ-III, the first 200 metres from the High Tide Line is a No Development Zone, with limited exceptions for repairs to existing authorised structures.
• Traditional or customary dwelling construction or reconstruction may be allowed between 200 and 500 metres in CRZ-III, subject to limits stated in the notification.

Approval and enforcement

Notification number S.O. 114(E) requires coastal States and Union Territory Administrations to prepare Coastal Zone Management Plans. The Ministry of Environment & Forests, State or Union Territory governments, designated authorities and local authorities are responsible for approvals, regulation, monitoring and enforcement within their jurisdictions.