Coastal Regulation Zone Notification
Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ) Notification 2018, which will lead to better life due to enhanced activities in coastal regions thereby promoting economic growth while respecting conservation principles of coastal regions, has been approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 December 2018.CRZ notification was last reviewed and issued in 2011 with periodic amendments to some clauses. The renewed notification is expected to rejuvenate coastal areas while reducing their vulnerabilities and add value to the economy of India. The changes brought about in CRZ Notification will further add to creating additional opportunities for affordable housing that will benefit the housing sector as well as the people at large looking for shelter. It will boost tourism in terms of more activities, more infrastructure and more opportunities and will certainly go a long way in creating employment opportunities in various aspects of tourism. This will also give boost to people, desirous of seeing and enjoying the beauty of the mighty seas.
Salient Featuresof CRZ 2018 Notification are:
- Allowing FSI as per current norms in CRZ areas to enable redevelopment of these areas to meet the emerging needs.
- Densely populated rural areas to be afforded greater opportunity for development
- Tourism infrastructure for basic amenities to be promoted
- CRZ Clearances streamlined
- A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands
- All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accorded special importance
- Pollution abatement has been accorded special focus
- Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation.
Coastal Regulation Zone Notification in 1991, notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change with the objective of conservation and protection of the coastal environment, wassubsequently revised in 2011 and amended from time to time.
Various Coastal States/UTs and other stakeholders particularly related to the management and conservation of marine and coastal eco-systems, development in coastal areas, eco-tourism, livelihood options and sustainable development of coastal communities etc. sent their concerns through their representations and on that basis a need was felt overtime to undertake a comprehensive revision of the notification.
Shailesh Nayank Committee, constituted in June 2014 to examine the various issues and concerns of Coastal States/UTs and other stakeholders for recommending appropriate changes in the CRZ Notification, 2011, held wide ranging consultations and submitted its recommendations in 2015, which were further examined in consultation with Members of Parliament of Coastal States and Union Territories besides other concerned Ministries of Government of India. Thereafter, a draft notification was issued in April, 2018 for inviting comments from public at large.
A number of suggestions and comments were received by the Government and based on overall imperative of sustainable development of Coastal areas and need for conserving the Coastal environment, Government has approved the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2018 which is expected to go a long way in meeting the aspirations of Coastal communities besides ensuring welfare of poor and vulnerable populations.