Costal Regulation Zone A Hurdle in Development

Indian embraces a total coast line of 7, 517

which adds dynamism to the rich demographics
and geography of the country. But many a time
this rich coast line is considered to as a hurdle in
the development of the areas lying in the areas
surrounded/ near the coast. These areas are
termed as Coastal regulation zone.
The journey of coastal development zone started
in the year 1991, when ministry of environment
issued a notification 19.2.1991 under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with
the aim to provide comprehensive measures for
the protection and conservation of our coastal
environment. But the notification had many
drawbacks and was altered in the last two decades. The 1991 notification
lacked clarity on issues like clearances, No concrete steps were indicated in
the 1991 Notification with regard to the pollution emanating from land-based
activities.
Due to various drawbacks the 1991 location was further amended 25 times
keeping in mind the views of various State Governments, Central Ministries,
NGOs etc. Finally in 2011, a comprehensive costal regulation zone
notification was issued taking into considerations the recommendations of
the made in the Final Frontier Report by the Committee chaired by Dr.
M.S. Swaminathan on Coastal Regulation and the findings of the various
consultations held in various coastal States and Union territories.
The 2011 notification was based on the objectives of security to the fisher
communities and other living in the coastal areas, protection to the coastal
stretches and facilitates sustainable development without harming the
environment. The notification bifurcated the coastal regulation zone into four
categories
1.
2.
3.
4.

CRZ
CRZ
CRZ
CRZ

I ecologically sensitive.
II built up area.
III Rural area.
IV water area.

CRZ I being the most sensitive area had very minimum scope of
development, CRZ II was playing field for developers as it was open to
sustainable redevelopment and felled under the Municipal limits. The current
permissible limit for development in the coastal regulation zone is 500m. The
earlier restriction was 100m which was debated and criticized by the
developers as it posed as a hurdle in the development as a large area of land
was protected under the gamut of CRZ. The newly amended restriction of
500m gives the developers carte blanche to develop taller buildings.
Many are of the opinion and have their own versions on the limit of CRZ and
believe that CRZ norms should be completely abolished which itself is an
unpractical and unrealistic demand. The sector has to strike an ecological
balance put forward realistic demands for amending the CRZ norms.
Abolishing the CRZ norms completely will lead to environmental
catastrophes as the cities nearer to the coast are ecologically sensitive.
Real estate market in Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Chennai, Sunderban are always
on the defensive and need a lot of clarity and modifications on the CRZ
norms. The Central government and the environment ministry need to come
up with a robust plan and take into consideration the view points of the local
bodies, NGOS, developers to sail smoothly.
Source: CommonFloor.com
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