• Enacted in 1991 to safeguard coastal environment and ecosystems under Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• CRZ encompasses coastal land up to 500m from High Tide Line (HTL) and 100m along tidal-influenced creeks, estuaries, etc.

Tides and Tide Lines

• Spring Tides: Exceptionally high tides due to Sun-Moon alignment.
• HTL: Highest water line during Spring Tides.
• LTL: Lowest water line during Spring Tides.

CRZ Categories (1991-2003)

CRZ 1: Ecologically sensitive areas with limited permissions.

• Exploration of Natural Gas
• Extraction of Salt

CRZ 2: Developed areas along shoreline.

• Limited construction and reconstruction permissions.

CRZ 3: Urban and Rural areas not under CRZ 1 and 2.

• Specific agricultural activities allowed
• Repair of existing structures
• Construction of public facilities

CRZ 4: Coastal stretches in certain islands.

• Restrictions on coral and sand use
• No dredging or underwater blasting

CRZ Reforms (2011)

CRZ 1:

• Exceptions for new construction and projects by Department of Atomic Energy, etc.

CRZ 2:

• Building construction permitted on hazardous line
• De-freezing Floor Space Index (FSI) norms

CRZ Reforms (2018 & 2019)

• Reduction of No Development Zones (NDZ)
• New CRZ Categories:

• CRZ-III A: NDZ of 50m for densely populated rural areas
• CRZ-III B: NDZ of 200m for densely populated rural areas