Exemptions and Permissible Activities

In one line

Paragraph 5 is where the notification says yes, and it says yes differently in every category.

In the wording a student can write in an examination: paragraph 5 of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019 regulates permissible activities category by category, providing in paragraph 5.1 for CRZ-I A and CRZ-I B, in paragraph 5.2 for CRZ-II, in paragraph 5.3 for CRZ-III with separate provision for the No Development Zone and for the area beyond it, and in paragraph 5.4 for CRZ-IV, and it operates as the exception to the general prohibitions in paragraph 4.

The rule for CRZ-II

Everything permissible in CRZ-I B is permissible in CRZ-II so far as applicable. Paragraph 5.2 opens with that, so the foreshore facilities, pipelines, non-conventional energy and the rest carry across.

Buildings on the landward side. Construction of buildings for residential purposes, schools, hospitals, institutions, offices and public places is permitted only on the landward side of the existing road, or on the landward side of existing authorised fixed structures. A proviso adds that no permission shall be given on the landward side of any new road constructed on the seaward side of an existing road.

That proviso closes the obvious avoidance: build a road nearer the sea, and then treat everything behind it as landward.

Floor space index is frozen at the date of the notification. Buildings so permitted are subject to the local town and country planning regulations and to the floor space index or floor area ratio norms prevailing as on the date of the notification. If an amendment of the floor space index is needed afterwards, the urban local body or the State Government must approach the Ministry through the State Coastal Zone Management Authority, which forwards the proposal with its views to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority, which examines aspects such as the availability of public amenities and environmental protection measures and takes a decision.

And two standing conditions. It is the responsibility of the concerned town planning authority to ensure that solid wastes are handled as per the respective Solid Waste Management Rules, and that no untreated sewage is discharged onto the coast or coastal waters.

Reconstruction of authorised buildings is permitted without change in the present land use, on the same floor space index basis and with the same route for any amendment.

Beach resorts and hotels. Development of vacant plots in designated areas for the construction of beach resorts, hotels or tourism development projects, subject to the conditions or guidelines in Annexure III.

Temporary tourism facilities on beaches. Shacks, toilets or washrooms, change rooms, shower panels, walkways constructed using interlocking paver blocks, drinking water facilities and seating arrangements, permitted only subject to the tourism plan featuring in the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan framed with a due consultative process or public hearing and to the environmental safeguards listed in it, with a minimum distance of ten metres from the High Tide Line to be maintained.