COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLAN (CZMP)
- Kerala has a coastline spanning approximately 590 km, with nine out of its 14 districts bordering the Arabian Sea. According to the 2011 Census, Kerala’s population density is 859 people per square kilometer, significantly higher than the national average of 382 people per square kilometer.
- The population density is particularly high in the coastal areas compared to other parts of the State. It is projected that the CRZ regulations will apply to five corporations, 36 municipalities, and 245 grama panchayats across 10 districts.
- The intense population pressure on land has led to widespread CRZ rule violations along Kerala’s coast, with thousands of unauthorized land alterations, including illegal wetland reclamation and encroachments.
- Numerous structures have been built along the coastline in clear disregard of these regulations.
- The CRZ 2011 framework, in place until the approval of the CZMP, emphasized the conservation of coastal ecosystems to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of fishers and coastal residents
- The State government estimates that the approval of the CZMP will directly benefit approximately 1 million people, as previous restrictions on building new houses and repairing existing ones will be eased. The approval of the CZMP was set as a requirement for states to implement and benefit from CRZ 2019 regulations.
- Under the new framework, the No Development Zone (NDZ)—the area where development is restricted—around tidal-influenced water bodies will be reduced to 50 meters from the previous 100 meters from the High Tide Line in at least 122 local bodies within the State.
- In 37 village panchayats designated as CRZ-III A, the NDZ has been scaled down to one-fourth of what it was previously. CRZ-III A areas are densely populated rural zones with a population density of 2,161 people per square kilometer, according to the 2011 Census.
- In these areas, the NDZ now extends 50 meters from the High Tide Line, compared to 200 meters under the CRZ 2011 guidelines.
- Additionally, 66 village panchayats will now fall under the CRZ-2 category, allowing the construction of commercial and residential buildings along the authorized building line.
- Overall, the NDZ in Kerala’s CRZ areas will be reduced by half, covering 108.397 sq. km instead of the previous 239.431 sq. km as outlined in the CRZ 2011 notification
Classification of CRZ Zones
Under CRZ guidelines, coastal zones are divided into categories with different levels of regulation:
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CRZ-I: Ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves, coral reefs, national parks, sanctuaries, and biologically active mudflats. Construction is largely restricted here, except for projects related to defense and specific essential services.
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CRZ-II: Areas that are already developed close to the shoreline. These include urban or developed areas where activities are permitted within certain restrictions, especially along existing building lines.
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CRZ-III: Undeveloped rural areas, typically in regions with a low population density. These are further divided into:
- CRZ-III A: Densely populated rural areas with a population density of over 2,161 people per square kilometer. The No Development Zone (NDZ) here is set at 50 meters from the High Tide Line.
- CRZ-III B: Areas with lower population density where the NDZ extends to 200 meters from the High Tide Line.
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CRZ-IV: Coastal areas and water bodies within territorial limits, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and other smaller islands. Activities here are tightly regulated to preserve marine ecosystems.
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CRZ regulations play a critical role in ensuring that development along India’s coastline is ecologically sustainable. They are essential for managing natural hazards, minimizing environmental degradation, and maintaining biodiversity while balancing economic growth and community needs.
These zones, therefore, represent a structured approach to protect India’s coastal areas from overexploitation, safeguard the interests of traditional communities, and promote responsible development in an era of climate change and rising sea levels
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Importance of Mangroves in Coastal Management
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Shoreline Protection: Mangroves act as natural barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis. Their dense root systems stabilize the soil, reducing the impact of strong waves and high tides, and help prevent the loss of coastal lands.
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Carbon Sequestration: Mangrove forests are highly efficient carbon sinks, sequestering significant amounts of carbon dioxide in both their biomass and underlying sediments. This process helps mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
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Biodiversity Hotspots: Mangrove ecosystems support a rich diversity of life, providing breeding and nursery grounds for numerous marine species such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They also support a variety of terrestrial animals and migratory birds, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
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Water Purification: Mangroves filter pollutants from river water before it reaches the open ocean. Their roots trap sediment, heavy metals, and other contaminants, helping to improve water quality and protect coral reefs and seagrass beds from sedimentation.
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Livelihoods for Coastal Communities: Mangroves provide resources for local communities, including wood, medicinal plants, fish, and shellfish. Sustainable harvesting of mangrove resources offers income opportunities for people dependent on coastal ecosystems.
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Prelims: CZMPs are part of Environment and Ecology topics, where questions may cover regulations like the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications, coastal ecosystems, and related policies. Mains: CZMPs are relevant to Geography (GS Paper I) and Environment (GS Paper III), covering:
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Previous Year Questions
1.Which of the following statements are appropriate to Mangrove Sites? (UPSC CAPF 2018)
1. Mangrove plants require appropriate mix of saline water and freshwater.
2. Mangrove plants require mudflats to enable it to grow and develop.
3. Mangrove plants are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered coasts.
4. Mangrove vegetation has been reported in all the coastal States including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A.1 and 2 only
B.2, 3 and 4 only
C.1, 3 and 4 only
D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer (D)
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