The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019

In one line

G.S.R. 37(E) of 18 January 2019 is the coastal law of mainland India, and it declares the shore and the sea out to twelve nautical miles.

In the wording a student can write in an examination: by notification G.S.R. 37(E) dated 18 January 2019, made in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and in supersession of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government declared the coastal stretches of the country and the water area up to its territorial water limit, excluding the islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep and the marine areas surrounding those islands, to be a Coastal Regulation Zone, with a view to conserve and protect the unique environment of coastal stretches and marine areas, besides livelihood security to the fisher communities and other local communities in the coastal areas, and to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles taking into account the dangers of natural hazards and sea level rise due to global warming.

The declaration, in four clauses

The notification declares the zone as under.

(i) The land area from the High Tide Line to five hundred metres on the landward side along the sea front. With an Explanation defining the High Tide Line for the purposes of the notification as the line on the land up to which the highest water line reaches during the spring tide, as demarcated by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in accordance with the laid down procedures and made available to the coastal States and Union territories.

(ii) The land area between the High Tide Line and fifty metres or the width of the creek, whichever is less, on the landward side along tidal influenced water bodies that are connected to the sea. The distance up to which development along such water bodies is regulated is governed by the distance up to which the tidal effects are experienced, determined on the basis of a salinity concentration of five parts per thousand measured during the driest period of the year, and is to be identified and demarcated in the Coastal Zone Management Plan. A proviso preserves the earlier limit of one hundred metres or the width of the creek, whichever is less, until the plan is approved. The Explanation defines tidal influenced water bodies as water bodies influenced by tidal effects from the sea in bays, estuaries, rivers, creeks, backwaters, lagoons and ponds connected to the sea.

(iii) The intertidal zone, meaning the land area between the High Tide Line and the Low Tide Line.