What are CRZ rules which the demolished Maradu flats violated?

News: Four illegal apartment complexes in Maradu, Kerala, were demolished for violating the provisions of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.

Facts:

• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification was issued in 1991 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• The main aim of the Rules is to protect the coastal environment.
• Coastal Regulation Zone: All the coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters which are influenced by tidal action (in the landward side) up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL.
• Categories of Coastal Regulation Zone:

1. Category I: areas that are ecologically sensitive and important, such as national parks marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats, mangroves, corals/coral reefs, etc.
2. Category II: areas that have already been developed up to or close to the shore-line.
3.  Category III: Areas that are relatively undisturbed and those that do not belong to either Category-I or II
4. Category IV: Coastlines of Indian islands that do not fall into categories I, II or III

New Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) Notification 2018

• only projects under CRZ I and CRZ IV would need clearance from Ministry of Environment whereas
• Sub categorizes CRZ III (rural) areas into CRZ III A and CRZ III B

o   CRZ III A: Densely populated rural areas with a population density of 2161/sq. Km.  Such areas shall have an No Development Zone (NDZ) of 50 meters from the HTL

o   CRZ-III B: Rural areas with population density of below 2161/sq. Km. Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL

• Defreeze CRZ II (Urban Area)-Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to allow construction projects for redevelopment of such areas to meet the emerging needs.
• permits temporary tourism facilities in beaches and in the “No Development Zone” (NDZ) of the CRZ-III areas
• No Development Zone of 20 m for all islands close to the mainland coast and for all Backwater Islands in the mainland.
•  allows treatment facilities as permeable activities to address the issue of pollution in coastal areas