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Coastal Management Act

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules

Coastal management encompasses the laws, regulations, and activities aimed at protecting the environment, biodiversity, and natural resources of coastal areas while ensuring sustainable and regulated development. To control unregulated construction, pollution, and environmental degradation in coastal regions, the Central Government has implemented the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules.

As per the CRZ Notification, 2019, Mathilakam Grama Panchayat falls under the CRZ–III B category. Development activities within this area shall be carried out in accordance with the prescribed environmental protection standards.

According to the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), 2019, construction permissions are primarily granted in CRZ II and CRZ III areas. In Kerala, 36 Municipalities, 5 Corporations, and 66 Grama Panchayats are included under CRZ II. Among the remaining Grama Panchayats, 37 fall under CRZ III A, 30 under CRZ III B, and 2 Grama Panchayats fall under both CRZ III A and CRZ III B categories. Detailed information regarding the CRZ categories specified in the 2019 Notification is provided below.

CRZ IA (Ecologically Sensitive Areas)

  • Areas that are ecologically sensitive and play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and ecological balance of coastal ecosystems through their geographical and environmental characteristics.
  • Construction permission for new residential buildings is not permitted within this zone.
  • Activities specified under Clause 5, Clause 5.1, and Clause 5.1.1 (i, ii, iii) of the CRZ Notification, 2019 are permitted in this category.

CRZ IB (Intertidal Zone)

  • The area lying between the High Tide Line (HTL) and the Low Tide Line (LTL), known as the Intertidal Zone, is not eligible for permission for new residential construction.
  • However, only those activities specified under Clause 5 and Clause 5.1.2 of the CRZ Notification, 2019 are permitted within this zone.

CRZ II

  • The CRZ area extends up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) along the seacoast. In tidal influenced water bodies, the CRZ boundary extends up to 50 metres landward from the HTL. In addition, the CRZ shall apply on both banks of tidal influenced water bodies up to a distance equal to the width of the water body or 50 metres, whichever is less. Construction activities located beyond 50 metres from the HTL of a tidal influenced water body do not require CRZ clearance. However, if such water body lies within 500 metres of the sea's High Tide Line, CRZ clearance is mandatory.
  • In areas falling under CRZ II, permission for residential construction shall be granted only on the landward side of approved roads or legally existing buildings that existed prior to 18 January 2019.
  • It shall be ensured that all approved structures have been constructed lawfully and in accordance with applicable regulations.

CRZ III

CRZ III has been classified into two sub-categories: CRZ III A and CRZ III B.

CRZ III A

  • The CRZ area extends up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) along the seacoast. In tidal influenced water bodies, the CRZ boundary extends up to 50 metres landward from the HTL. The CRZ shall also apply on both banks of such water bodies up to a distance equal to the width of the water body or 50 metres, whichever is less. Construction activities located beyond 50 metres from the HTL of a tidal influenced water body do not require CRZ clearance. However, if the water body lies within 500 metres of the sea's High Tide Line, CRZ clearance is mandatory.
  • The area extending up to 50 metres from the High Tide Line is designated as a No Development Zone (NDZ). No new construction activities are permitted within this zone. However, reconstruction and repairs of existing approved residential buildings may be permitted within the existing plinth area, provided there is no change in use.
  • Beyond the 50-metre No Development Zone and up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line, residential buildings may be permitted with a maximum of Ground Floor + First Floor and a maximum height of 9 metres.
  • Within 50 metres from the High Tide Line on either bank of a tidal influenced water body, reconstruction and repair of approved residential buildings may be permitted within the existing plinth area without any change in use. Construction activities located beyond 50 metres from the HTL of such water bodies do not require CRZ clearance. However, if the water body lies within 500 metres of the sea's High Tide Line, CRZ clearance is mandatory

CRZ III B

  • The CRZ area extends up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) along the seacoast. In tidal influenced water bodies, the CRZ boundary extends up to 200 metres landward from the HTL. The CRZ shall also apply on both banks of such water bodies up to a distance equal to the width of the water body or 50 metres, whichever is less. Construction activities located beyond 50 metres from the HTL of such water bodies do not require CRZ clearance. However, if the water body lies within 500 metres of the sea's High Tide Line, CRZ clearance is mandatory.
  • The area extending up to 200 metres from the High Tide Line is designated as a No Development Zone (NDZ).
  • Within the NDZ (up to 200 metres from the High Tide Line) in CRZ III B areas, reconstruction and repair of existing approved residential buildings may be permitted within the existing plinth area without any change in use. In addition, residential buildings for traditional fishing communities (subsequently amended as “traditional coastal communities”) may be permitted within the NDZ, subject to compliance with disaster management regulations, proper sanitation and waste management provisions, and the standards prescribed in the relevant Government Order.
  • No construction shall be permitted within the NDZ of CRZ III areas except activities specifically permitted under this Notification, including repairs or reconstruction of existing approved structures without exceeding the existing Floor Space Index (FSI), plinth area, or density; essential facilities required for permitted activities; and construction or reconstruction of dwelling units for traditional coastal communities, including fishing communities, with adequate disaster-resilient and sanitation arrangements.
  • Beyond the 200-metre No Development Zone and up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line, residential buildings may be permitted with a maximum of Ground Floor + First Floor and a maximum height of 9 metres.
  • Within 50 metres from the High Tide Line on either bank of a tidal influenced water body, reconstruction of approved residential buildings may be permitted within the existing plinth area without any change in use. Construction activities located beyond 50 metres from the HTL of such water bodies do not require CRZ clearance.
  • At present, within the No Development Zone of islands, reconstruction of approved residential buildings may be permitted within the existing plinth area and without any change in use, provided the construction is located within 50 metres from the High Tide Line. Construction activities beyond 50 metres from the HTL of island water bodies do not require CRZ clearance. Further, until the Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP) receives approval from the Central Government, the island setback distance shall continue to remain 50 metres.

CRZ IV

  • CRZ IV is classified into two categories:
    • CRZ IV A – The water area extending up to 12 nautical miles seaward from the Low Tide Line (LTL), including the seabed.
    • CRZ IV B – The water area and its bed lying between the Low Tide Lines on either side of tidal influenced inland water bodies.
  • CRZ IV B includes water areas extending from the mouth of tidal influenced water bodies up to the point where tidal influence is experienced.
  • A water body is considered tidal influenced if, during the driest period of the year, it has a salinity level of five parts per thousand (5 ppt) or more.
  • Activities specified under Clause 5.4 of the CRZ Notification, 2019 are permitted within this category.

Guidelines under the CRZ Notification, 2019

The following guidelines have been issued for granting permission for residential construction within CRZ areas in accordance with the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2019. Such permissions shall be granted only subject to compliance with the conditions and requirements specified below.

  • In areas falling under CRZ II, CRZ III A, and CRZ III B, Local Self Government Institutions may grant permission, subject to the above conditions, only for applications relating to residential buildings with a built-up area of up to 300 m², as permitted under the CRZ Notification, 2019.
  • Applications for residential buildings exceeding 300 m², applications for non-residential constructions, and applications for regularization of residential buildings belonging to traditional coastal inhabitants shall be forwarded by the respective Local Self Government Institution, along with its recommendation, to the Coastal Zone Management Authority.
  • Applications for residential construction up to 300 m² received by the District Level Committee (DLC) after 16.10.2024 shall be returned from the Office of the District Town Planner to the respective Local Self Government Institutions.
  • Applications submitted before the Coastal Zone Management Authority shall be accompanied by the recommendation of the Local Self Government Institution, a duly signed Budget Estimate, the scrutiny fee prescribed under GO(Ms) No.1/2015/S&TD dated 25.03.2015, and a Building Plan/Site Plan signed by the Secretary or Assistant Engineer, including the distance from the High Tide Line (HTL) and Geo Coordinates.
  • If the property falls within CRZ II, details of the approved building or road existing prior to 18.01.2019, including the Building Number, Year of Construction, and the Building Line between approved structures, shall be mandatorily incorporated in the plan.
  • Applications relating to construction activities falling under CRZ categories other than CRZ II, CRZ III A, and CRZ III B, as well as applications for regularization of residential buildings of traditional coastal inhabitants constructed under the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011, shall be submitted directly to the Coastal Zone Management Authority.
  • The responsibility for scrutiny of construction permissions under the CRZ Notification, 2019, detection of violations, and initiation of further action against such violations rests with the District Level Committees (DLCs).
  • Before granting CRZ clearance, the status of the property shall be verified by referring to the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), 2019 and confirming the CRZ Status of the Property.
  • In case of any ambiguity regarding the grant of CRZ clearance, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Authority and appropriate guidance shall be sought.
  • The CRZ Notification, 2019 and the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), 2019 are available on the official website of the Authority: www.keralaczma.gov.in.
  • Information regarding the CRZ categories of Corporations, Municipalities, and Grama Panchayats located within CRZ areas in Kerala is provided as an annexure.
  • The responsibility for ensuring strict compliance with all applicable norms and conditions before granting CRZ clearance shall rest with the head of the concerned Local Self Government Institution.

Important Notice

Local Self Government Secretaries are authorized to grant construction permissions within CRZ areas only after ensuring compliance with the conditions, requirements, and verification procedures specified above. Any CRZ clearance granted in violation of the applicable rules, regulations, or guidelines is liable to be cancelled by the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA), which retains the authority to revoke such approvals.

Kerala Coastal Zone Management Regulations

Environmental protection and sustainable development can be ensured only through strict compliance with the applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines governing coastal areas.

  • CRZ Notification 2019 with Amendments