Lok Sabha Question No. 3408 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: Coastal Regulation Zone
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3408

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.07.2019

## Coastal Regulation Zone

## 3408. SHRI. SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government hasrecently amended and notified new Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2018;
- (b) if so, the reasons thereforindicating the difference in objectives incomparison to the CRZ notification, 2011therein;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the newregulations allow development ofinfrastructure which will  destroy  theecology  of  coastal  areas  and  increase  thevulnerability  of  coastal people to naturaldisasters;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the extent to which the newnotification is likely to affect/benefit thepeople?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a)&(b) Yes  sir.The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  received representations  from  various  coastal  States  and  Union  territories,  besides  other stakeholders, regarding certain provisions in the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011  related  to  management  and  conservation  of  marine  and  coastal  ecosystems, development in coastal areas, eco-tourism, livelihood options and sustainable development  of  coastal  communities  etc.  In  order  to  streamline  the  process  of clearance under CRZ regulations and in view of reasons stated above, the Ministry in supersession of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 have notified a new  Coastal  Regulations  vide  G.S.R  37(E),  dated  18 th January,  2019.  The  salient features of the new notification are:
-  Allowing FSI as per current norms in CRZ areas.
-  Densely populated rural areas to be afforded greater opportunity for development. Accordingly,  for  CRZ-III  (Rural)  areas,  two  separate  categories  have  now  been stipulated  as:  (a)  CRZ-III  A  -  These  are  densely  populated  rural  areas  with  a population  density  of  more  than  2161  per  square  kilometre  as  per  2011  Census. Such areas shall have a No Development Zone (NDZ) of 50 meters from the HTL as against 200 meters from the High Tide Line stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011; and (b) 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 promoted: Temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc. have now been  permitted  in  Beaches.  Such  temporary  tourism  facilities  are  also  now permissible in the 'No Development Zone' (NDZ) of the CRZ-III areas as per the Notification.  However,  a  minimum  distance  of  10  m  from  HTL  should  be maintained for setting up of such facilities. Eco-tourism shall be promoted in CRZ-I areas as well with adequate safeguards.
-  CRZ  Clearances streamlined: The  procedure for CRZ  clearances has been 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, Forest and Climate Change.  The powers for clearances with respect to CRZ-II and III have been delegated at the State level with necessary guidance.
-  Restrictions in Mainland Islands streamlined:  A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands, for islands close to the main land coast and for all Backwater Islands in the mainland.
-  All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accorded special importance: Specific guidelines related to their conservation and management plans have been drawn up as a part of the CRZ Notification.
-  Pollution abatement has been accorded special focus:  In order to address pollution in Coastal areas 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.
- (c)to(e) The new Coastal Regulations issued vide notification G.S.R 37(E), dated 18 th January, 2019 have been framed after undertaking wide ranging consultations with all stakeholders and based on the recommendations of a Committee of Experts constituted specifically for the task of scientifically addressing the issues of the coastal region. This new regulation has laid emphasis on conservation and protection of eco-sensitive areas

which was not available in the CRZ Notification, 2011. The Ministry of Environment, Forest  and  Climate  Change  have  also  got  demarcated  the  'hazard  line'  for  the  entire coast of the country, which shall be used by the States as a tool for disaster management plan  for  the  coastal  environment,  including  planning  of  adaptive  and  mitigation measures.This new regulation has laid emphasis on conservation and protection of ecosensitive  areas  which  was  not  available  in  the  CRZ  Notification,  2011.  The  new notification  is  expected  to  go  a  long  way  in  meeting  the  aspirations  of  the  people  in particular the coastal community.

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