Coastal Regulation Zone
Also called: CRZ · Topic: Regional Planning and Sustainable Development in India · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is the strip of coast where building is controlled by law. The rules come under the Environment (Protection) Act and have applied since 1991. They cover land up to 500 m from the high tide line, which is the highest point the sea reaches at high tide. They also cover land along tidal rivers and creeks. The rules were revised in 2011 and 2019. The 2019 rules eased the limits. In densely populated rural areas, the no-development zone (where new building is not allowed) shrank to 50 m, and beach tourism was allowed. The rules try to balance people's jobs, tourism and ports against protecting the coast from erosion, storm surges and rising seas.
Example
On the beaches of Goa, on India's west coast, a new hotel near the shore must follow CRZ rules on how close to the high tide line it may be built.
Don't confuse with
- Western Ghats ecologically sensitive area: it protects a mountain range, not the coast. The Gadgil panel proposed about 64% of the Ghats and the Kasturirangan panel about 37%, and the final notification is still pending.