Coastal Regulation Zone Research Articles

Coastal Ecology: Development, Directions and Dimensions

Preservation and protection of coastal ecology and the marine environment are the most significant challenges before the world community. The UN Convention on the Law of Sea, 1982 has made extensive provisions for the protection and preservation of the marine environment. The Constitution of India is probably first in the world that makes provision for the preservation and protection of the environment. The Ministry of Environment and Forests undertook an exercise to issue the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 to preserve, protect and promote coastal ecology. Furthermore, in a number of decisions, the Supreme Court has made effective observations for the proper preservation, protection and promotion of coastal ecology and the marine environment. The present paper highlights the problem of global warming, coastal ecology and the marine environment. Coastal States have a special interest in protecting and preserving their coastlines. Due to unique peculiar characteristics, the coastal zone is a meeting point for land, sea and inland waters. Coastal zones have played significant role in the development of culture and civilizations. It is the duty of the coastal States to preserve and protect coastal ecology and the marine environment.

Effectiveness of the Indian coastal regulation zones provisions for coastal zone management and its evaluation using SWOT analysis

In India provision for Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) has been formally introduced in 1991. It relied on the institutional framework that has a supporting legislative, administrative and procedural set up. National, State and District authorities together are sharing the responsibility of its development and management. In this article, firstly an overview of the CRZ provision and background to the CRZ norms in India are presented. It examines the progress made in the CRZ provisions through various amendments since its implementation (1991) and also depicts the key attributes of the new CRZ (2011) notification. A Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis is carried out in this article to identify strategic directions of CRZ practice/system. The analysis reveals that while considerable progress has been made in Indian CRZ provisions through successive amendments such as resource conservation and pollution control, implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) programme in various coastal states and greater involvement of corporate sectors in CZM, there are several constraints, ranging from improper scientific basis, guidelines, lack of baseline information and weak social basis, ambiguity in project activities, ineffective implementation and enforcement. The opportunities are realized as increasing public awareness, initiative of environmental groups, and forward thinking to sustainably manage the coastal resources by integrating ICZM to plans and policies. Poor Governance, rapid economic reforms, lack of scientific forecast and undue favors to coastal infrastructure are some of the foreseen threats to the system. Finally recommendations/suggestions are made to improve the effectiveness of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and CRZ provision in India.

Use of geo-spatial information and technologies for analyzing morphological changes in the Greater Visakhapatnam coastal region, east coast of India

The objective of this study was to investigate the land use/land cover, landforms, shoreline and coastal regulation zone (CRZ) changes of Greater Visakhapatnam coastal region using Indian Remote Sensing-IRS P6 (Resourcesat-I) satellite data and collateral information. Prominent changes have been observed during the past 30 years through land use/land cover analyzes which clearly indicate that thecoastal regulatory zones have altered in respect of both natural and anthropogenic activities. Various geomorphic units were identified and confirmed with appropriate field work. Significant changes have been recognized in the shoreline map, which denote that the area of erosional shoreline is larger than the accretional and stable prone shoreline. The availability of high resolution data has helped to prepare large-scale maps for implementation of CRZ measures. The results were promising and suggest that the modern geo-spatial information and technological tools are extremely helpful for conducting coastal morphological studies.

Coastal Ecological Sensitivity and Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Sea Level Change in Apodi River (Atlantic Ocean), Northeast Brazil

The present study has been carried out with a view to calculate the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) to know the high and low sensitive areas and area of inundation due to future SLR. Both conventional and remotely sensed data were used and analyzed through the modelling technique. Out of the total study area, 8.26% is very high risk, 14.21% high, 9.36% medium, 22.46% low and 7.35% in the very low vulnerable category, due to costal components. Results of the inundation analysis indicate that 225.2 km² and 397 km² of the land area will be submerged by flooding at 1m and 10m inundation levels. The most severely affected sectors are expected to be the residential, industrial and recreational areas. As this coast is planned for future coastal developmental activities, measures such as industrializations, building regulation, urban growth planning and agriculture, development of an integrated coastal zone management, strict enforcement of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act, monitoring of impacts and further research in this regard are recommended for the study area.

An evaluation of flora from coastal sand dunes of India: Rationale for conservation and management

A key component that guarantees stability of coastal sand dunes (CSDs) is vegetation. In this study, the floristic composition and distribution from CSDs of India is reviewed. Analysis revealed a total 338 species of CSD flora, of which 92 species are found to be common to the west and east coasts. The west coast showed a greater diversity than the east coast, accounting for 267 and 163 species respectively. Fabaceae members dominated the flora and 62% of dune species exhibited an herbaceous habit. The non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) resulted in three groups at 20% similarity. The CSD vegetation appeared to be more influenced by the geological setting and climatology of the region. The higher number of coastal dune species along the west coast is attributed to larger and extensive sandy areas. The CSD flora of India is under constant anthropogenic pressure due to rapid elimination of sand dunes and its associated vegetation. The prevailing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification does not guarantee the health of sand dune flora. A coastal vegetation conservation policy that ensures a succession of species in the form of a three layered biozone is proposed as a long term sustainable option to maintain biodiversity of coastal flora.

Coastal vulnerability assessment of the future sea level rise in Udupi coastal zone of Karnataka state, west coast of India

Udupi coast in Karnataka state, along the west coast of India, selected as a study area, is well known for sandy beaches, aquaculture ponds, lush greenery, temples and major and minor industries. It lies between 13°00′00″–13°45′00″ north latitudes and 74°47′30″–74°30′00″ east longitudes, the length of the coastline is 95 km, and is oriented along the NNW–SSE direction. It is vulnerable to accelerated sea level rise (SLR) due to its low topography and its high ecological and touristy value. The present study has been carried out with a view to calculate the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) to know the high and low vulnerable areas and area of inundation due to future SLR, and land loss due to coastal erosion. Both conventional and remotely sensed data were used and analysed through the modelling technique and by using ERDAS Imagine and geographical information system software. The rate of erosion was 0.6018 km 2/yr during 2000–2006 and around 46 km of the total 95 km stretch is under critical erosion. Out of the 95 km stretch coastline, 59% is at very high risk, 7% high, 4% moderate and 30% in the low vulnerable category, due to SLR. Results of the inundation analysis indicate that 42.19 km 2 and 372.08 km 2 of the land area will be submerged by flooding at 1 m and 10 m inundation levels. The most severely affected sectors are expected to be the residential and recreational areas, agricultural land, and the natural ecosystem. As this coast is planned for future coastal developmental activities, measures such as building regulation, urban growth planning, development of an integrated coastal zone management, strict enforcement of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act 1991, monitoring of impacts and further research in this regard are recommended for the study area.

An environmental perspective of the post-tsunami scenario along the coast of Tamil Nadu, India: Role of sand dunes and forests

An endeavor to feel the pulse of a coast devastated by a powerful oceanographic event is made. Results of field investigations along Tamil Nadu seaside revealed that the tsunami of December 2004 demolished dwellings within strips ranging from 6 to 132 m (average width, 41 m) from the dune, and flooded up to 862 m (average, 247 m) from the shore. The event damaged sand dunes, ripped dune vegetation, created new water bodies and shattered high value assets. Comparatively, casuarina forests performed remarkably. Uprooting of trees was exclusively restricted to a frontal strip ranging from 5 to 25 m (average width, 14 m) nearest to the shore where the maximum wave run-up was 6.5 m above sea level. Sand dunes in general, and casuarina forests in particular, posses an innate capacity to dissipate powerful waves. This inference is supported by (a) negligible over wash along belts characterized by high dune complexes, (b) intact villages shielded by dense forests as well as sand dunes, and (c) maximum destruction of open beach front influenced by intense human activity. In this context, the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) Notification of 1991 offers sufficient scientific validity to be endorsed. However, post-tsunami ecosystem management initiatives lack a scientific basis. Therefore, a coastal hazards policy, that considers adaptation, dune restoration and forested buffer zones, is a sustainable long-term option for Indian coasts.

Evolution of Environmental Legislation

This article starts with the recommendations of UN Economic and Social Council recommendation to have a conference. Accordingly UN General Assembly held a conference on Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972. Prior to the Conference India had Wild Life Protection Act. After the conference several laws came into force - Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Water Cess Act and ultimately the Environment Protection Act. Degradation of wetlands, flood plains, sea grass beds and coral reed let to the evolution of the concept of Man and Biosphere (MAB) concept. As a result the Indian National Man and Biosphere Reserve Committee is constituted. To protect coastal ecosystem Coastal Regulation Zone is demarcated. It divides the area into three. No Development Zone), CRZ II - where construction is permitted, CRZ III relatively undisturbed and do not fall in either of the above categories. The role played by MC Mehta is laudable in bringing several issues such as Taj Mahal Case and River Ganges Pollution case to the notice of the Supreme Court.

Coastal regulation zone rules in coastal panchayats (villages) of Kerala, India vis-à-vis socio-economic impacts from the recently introduced peoples’ participatory program for local self-governance and sustainable development

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest of Government of India in February 1991 as a part of the Environmental Protection Act of 1986 to protect the coast from eroding and to preserve its natural resources. The initial notification did not distinguish the variability and diversity of various coastal states before enforcing it on the various states and Union Territories. Impact assessments were not carried out to assess its impact on socio-economic life of the coastal population. For the very same reason, it was unnoticed or rather ignored till 1994 when the Supreme Court of India made a land mark judgment on the fate of the coastal aquaculture which by then had established as an economically successful industry in many South Indian States. Coastal aquaculture in its modern form was a prohibited activity within CRZ. Lately, only various stakeholders of the coast realized the real impact of the CRZ rules on their property rights and business. To overcome the initial drawbacks several amendments were made in the regulation to suit regional needs. In 1995, another great transformation took place in the State of Kerala as a part of the re-organization of the local self government institutions into a decentralized three tier system called “Panchayathi Raj System”. In 1997, the state government also decided to transfer the power with the required budget outlay to the grass root level panchayats (villages) and municipalities to plan and implement the various projects in their localities with the full participation of the local people by constituting Grama Sabhas (Peoples’ Forum). It is called the “Peoples’ Planning Campaign”(Peoples’ Participatory Programme—PPP for Local Level Self-Governance). The management of all the resources including the local natural resources was largely decentralized to the level of local communities and villages. Integrated, sustainable coastal zone management has become the concern of the local population. The paper assesses the socio-economic impact of the centrally enforced CRZ and the state sponsored PPP on the coastal community in Kerala and suggests measures to improve the system and living standards of the coastal people within the framework of CRZ.