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The Union Government passed a notification on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) to replace the earlier notification. The notification seeks to bring changes with liberal restrictions. Insofar as the FSI norms are concerned, the government decided to de-freeze the Floor Space Index or Floor Area Ratio, which had been frozen in 1991 as per the Development Control Regulation level, on the date of notification becoming effective.
The Union Government split CRZ-III Rural areas into two categories, namely CRZ-III A and CRZ-III B. As per 2011 census, population density is 2161 sq.km in areas under CRZ-III A and it is below 2161 sq.km in areas under CRZ-III B. As per the earlier notification, the No Development Zone was 200 metres from the High Tide Line, whereas it is reduced to 50 metres by the new notification on the ground that such areas have similar characteristics as that of urban areas. Nevertheless, the Government made no change in areas of No Development Zone that falls under CRZ-III B; and therefore, the areas of NDZ continue to be 200 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL).
Tourism facilities can be provided in the areas of the No Development Zone but still 10 metres away from the HTL. Toilets, change rooms, drinking facilities etc. have been allowed in the beaches as well as on the NDZ areas as per the notification. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change can give clearances only for such activities and projects that occur in the areas which fall under CRZ-I (Ecologically Sensitive Areas), and CRZ-IV (Area Covered between Low Tide Line and 12 Nautical Miles). Insofar as the CRZ-II and CRZ-III are concerned, the authority to give clearance lie with the state level. Further, the Union Government issued stipulations demarcating NDZs of 20 metres for all islands. Given the geographical variance and space restrictions of various islands, the government brought uniformity in the treatment of these areas with the recent CRZ notification.
The centre, having mulled to lessen the pollution drastically, permitted certain activities to be carried out subject to certain safety restrictions in the areas under CRZ-I B. The Union Government passed this notification amid the receipt of representations from various stakeholders. The representations sought to examine the provisions in the earlier notification especially those related to the management and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, development of coastal areas etc.
Dr Shailesh Nayak, who was made the chairman of the committee constituted in 2014 by the Union Government, ascertained the issues and needs relevant to the Coastal areas and development thereof. In 2015, He submitted to the Union Government his considerations and reports of outcome due to consultations with the state government and various other stakeholders in the matter. Shortly, he prepared the draft of the very notification and the same was approved by the Centre. The said notification by the Union Government would generate employment opportunities, improve infrastructure, and result in overall development in the coastal areas.
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