The Regulation of Sea Resorts and Beach Resorts

In one line

Annexure III is the beach resort code, and the University has asked about the regulation of sea resorts on three of the nine papers this book was checked against.

In the wording a student can write in an examination: the development of vacant plots in designated areas for the construction of beach resorts, hotels or tourism development projects in CRZ-II and CRZ-III is permitted under paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019 subject to the conditions and guidelines in Annexure III, which imposes separate sets of conditions for CRZ-II and for CRZ-III, prohibits such construction altogether in ecologically sensitive areas such as marine parks, mangroves, coral reefs, breeding and spawning grounds of fish and wildlife habitats, and requires in CRZ-III a floor space index not exceeding 0.33, a height not exceeding nine metres and no more than two floors, a gap of at least twenty metres between any two hotels or beach resorts for public access to the beach, and no tapping of groundwater within two hundred metres of the High Tide Line.

The conditions for CRZ-II

Nine, and they are shorter because CRZ-II is a developed urban area.

Construction only to the landward side of an existing road or existing authorised fixed structures. The same rule as for any building in CRZ-II.

Fencing. Live fencing and barbed wire fencing with vegetative cover may be allowed around private properties, subject to the condition that such fencing shall in no way hamper public access to the beach.

No flattening of sand dunes.

No permanent structures for sports facilities, except goal posts, net posts and lamp posts.

Basements may be allowed only if a no objection certificate is obtained from the State Ground Water Authority to the effect that the construction will not adversely affect the free flow of groundwater in the area, and that Authority must take into account the guidelines issued by the Central Government before granting it.

Effluent, waste, emission and noise quality must conform to the standards laid down by the competent authorities including the Pollution Control Boards and under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

Treatment arrangements, and it must be ensured that untreated effluents and solid wastes are not discharged into the water or on the beach; no effluent or solid waste shall be discharged on the beach.

Forest clearance, where the project involves the diversion of forest land, under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, together with the requirements of other central and State laws, and the approval of the State or Union territory Tourism Department.

The conditions for CRZ-III

Fifteen, and they are the ones an examiner is asking about.

The CRZ-II conditions on fencing, sand dunes, sports structures, basements, effluent standards, treatment arrangements and forest clearance are repeated. To them are added six that are specific to CRZ-III.