Book Details

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First Sentence

"Marine ecosystems are experiencing crisis worldwide. The necessity to protect the marine environment and the living organisms which it supports are of vital importance to humanity, and all people have an interest in assuring that it is so managed that its quality and resources are not impaired. The environmental guidelines formulated by the Government of India, for the developments of beaches, inter alia, required the State Governments to prepare status report on the current situation of the coastal areas, as a pre-requisite to environmental management of the area. The status report is used to prepare a master plan for the conservation, preservation ,development and other activities. The Government of India, in exercise of its powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has issued a notification declared the coastal of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks ,rivers and backwaters etc which were influenced by tidal action up to 500 meters from High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between Low Tide Line (LTL) and HTL . In respect of rivers, creeks and backwaters the distance will vary, but shall not be less than 100 meters. Several restrictions were imposed in these coastal areas (CRZ areas) . For the purpose of regulating constructions the notification has classified the CRZ into four zones. Ecologically sensitive areas are classified as CRZ-I. Already developed areas are categorized as CRZ-II. The areas in between both the areas are classified as CRZ-III. Islands are classified separately under CRZ-IV category. The notification also contained guidelines for the development of beach resorts/hotels in designated areas of CRZ-III. Even though constructions are totally prohibited in the CRZ areas, on certain conditions, constructions are permitted in CRZ-III area. In the area between 200 and 300 meters certain type of constructions are allowed. All the States had prepared Coastal Zone Management Plan, (CZMP) identifying the Coastal Areas in their respective areas."