Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 15 : Coastal regulation zone notification

15.1.Classification of the CRZ
For the purpose of conserving and protecting the coastal areas and marine waters, the CRZ area shall be classified as follows, namely,

(i) CRZ-I
A. The areas that are ecologically sensitive and the geomorphological features which play a role in the maintaining the integrity of the coast,-

• Mangroves, in case mangrove area is more than 1000 sq mts, a buffer of 50meters along the mangroves shall be provided;
• Corals and coral reefs and associated biodiversity; (c) Sand Dunes;
• Mudflats which are biologically active;
• National parks, marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats and other protected areas under the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980) or Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986); including Biosphere Reserves;
• (Salt Marshes;
• Turtle nesting grounds;
• Horse shoe crabs habitats; (i) Sea grass beds;
• Nesting grounds of birds;
• Areas or structures of archaeological importance and heritage sites. B. The area between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line;

(ii) CRZ-II
The areas that have been developed upto or close to the shoreline.
Explanation
For the purposes of the expression “developed area” is referred to as that area within the e x i s t i n g municipal limits or in other e x i s t i n g legally designated urban areas w h i c h a r e substantially built-up and has been provided with drainage and approach roads and other infrastructural facilities, such as water supply and sewerage mains;

(iii) CRZ-III
Areas that are relatively undisturbed and those do not belong to either CRZ-I or II which include coastal zone in the rural areas (developed and undeveloped) and also areas within municipal limits or in other legally designated urban areas, which are not substantially built up.

(iv) CRZ-IV
A. the water area from the Low Tide Line to twelve nautical miles on the seaward side; B. shall include the water area of the tidal influenced water body from the mouth of the water body at the sea upto the influence of tide which is measured as five parts per thousand during the driest season of the year.

(v) Areas requiring special consideration for the purpose of protecting the critical coastal environment and difficulties faced by local communities

A. (i) CRZ area falling within municipal limits of Greater Mumbai;
(ii) the CRZ areas of Kerala including the backwaters and backwater islands;
(iii) CRZ areas of Goa.

B. Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCA) such as Sunderbans region of West Bengal and other ecologically sensitive areas identified as under Environment (Protection) Act,
1986 and managed with the involvement of coastal communities including fisherfolk.