Subject: A brief about CRZ zone The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in Andhra Pradesh is a set of regulations that govern activities in coastal areas

Subject: A brief about CRZ zone The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in Andhra Pradesh is a set of regulations that govern activities in coastal areas

Dear sir ,

Sharing brief about CRZ zone will help any query regarding project activities

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in Andhra Pradesh is a set of regulations that govern activities in coastal areas: 

Definition

The CRZ includes the land up to 500 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a 100-meter stretch along the banks of creeks, estuaries, backwater, and rivers. 

Zones

The CRZ is divided into four zones:

Zone I: Ecologically sensitive areas and geomorphological features that maintain the coast's integrity 

Zone II: Developed areas up to the shoreline, including established villages and towns 

Zone III: Relatively undisturbed areas, including rural and urban areas that are not substantially developed 

Zone IV: The water area from the Low Tide Line to twelve nautical miles on the seaward side 

Restrictions

The CRZ restricts the setting up and expansion of industries and processing plants. 

Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP)

The CZMP for Andhra Pradesh was approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2019. The plan includes 143 CZMP maps on a 1:25,000 scale

Single window system

The Andhra Pradesh government has integrated the CRZ with other departments to streamline the construction and layout approval process. This will reduce the number of rounds developers need to make to different departments. 

Revision to Kakinada Coastal Zone Management Plan

The state government has proposed to revise the Coastal Zone Management Plan-2019 for Kakinada district. The revision will allow ecotourism activities and other facilities for fisherfolk in the CRZ. 

CRZ in Baptala

The Baptala collector announced that a Coastal Regulation Zone will be set up in 492 square kilometers in Andhra Pradesh. 

CRZ clearance

CRZ clearances for projects are based on CRZ maps on a 1:4000 scale. These maps need to be prepared for each project site. 

Prepare Coastal Zone Management Plans: NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to ensure that coastal States and Union Territories prepare the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).

Prepare Coastal Zone Management Plans without delay, NGT tells Coastal States and UTs

The National Coastal Zonal Management Authority (NCZMA) issued a direction in August 2023 that all coastal States/Union Territories, whose CZMPs/ICRZP were yet to be finalized as per 2019 notification, must complete it within October 31, 2023. 

It has been reported that only three States – Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra – have formulated the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) as per the Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2019. 

Only Great Nicobar and Little Andaman Islands have approved the Island CRZP as per the notification.

What is Coastal Zone Management Plan?

Coastal Zone Management Plan: It involves managing coastal areas to balance environmental, economic, human health, and human activities.

The Coastal Zone Management Plan: It encourages coastal states and UTs to work in partnership with the Union government to design and enforce local programs and Projects consistent with the Coastal Regulation Zone and accompanying regulations.

What is a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)?

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, issued the Coastal Regulation Zone notification for regulation of activities in the coastal area.

Definition: As per the notification, the coastal land up to a distance of 500m from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks, estuaries, backwaters and rivers subject to tidal fluctuations, is called the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).

High Tide Lines (HTL): 

HTL is defined as the line on the land up to which the highest water line reaches during the Spring Tides.

Low Tide Lines (LTL): 

LTL is defined as the line on the land up to which the lowest water line reaches during the Spring Tides.

Spring Tide: 

Spring tide occurs on the full moon and new moon day. High tides of spring tide are higher than the average high tide and low tide of spring tide is lower than the average low tide.

CRZ along the country has been placed in four categories, which are as follows:

CRZ I – Ecologically Sensitive Areas. 

Location: They lie between the low and high tide lines.

In this area, exploration of natural gas and salt extraction are permitted

CRZ II – Shore Line Areas

Location: The areas that have been developed up to or close to the shoreline.

Unauthorized structures are not allowed to be constructed in this zone.

CRZ III – Undisturbed Area

Location: Rural and Urban localities that fall outside I and II.

Only certain activities related to agriculture even some public facilities are allowed in this zone.

CRZ IV – Territorial Area

Location: An area covered between the Low Tide Line and 12 Nautical Miles seaward.

Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone.

No solid waste should be discharged in this zone.

New Reforms under Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2018 & 2019 Are as follows: 

Development projects: A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands.

New CRZ Categories: For CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate categories have now been created for improved management: CRZ-III A and CRZ-III B

CRZ-III A: Rural Areas that are densely populated with a population density of 2161/km2. They will have an NDZ of 50 meters from HTL. Earlier it was 200m from HTL according to the CRZ Notification of 2011.

CRZ-III B: Rural Areas that are densely populated with a population den

sity of 2161/km2. They will have an NDZ of 200m from HTL.

With best regards 

Dr. Amar Nath Giri