The government seeks to protect, sustain, and augment mangroves and coral reefs in the country through a combination of regulatory and promotional measures.
Under regulatory measures, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2011) and the Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification 2011 govern development activities along the sea coast and tidal-influenced water bodies.
Mangroves and coral reef areas are categorized as ecologically sensitive areas (CRZ-1), where no new constructions are permitted, except for specific projects related to the Department of Atomic Energy, pipelines, conveying systems (including transmission lines), installation of weather radar for cyclone monitoring by the Indian Meteorological Department, and construction of trans-harbour sea links, without affecting the tidal flow of water.
Mangrove Forest
To enforce and implement the CRZ and IPZ Notifications, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has constituted the National and State/UT level Coastal Zone Management Authorities.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests also provides financial assistance to Coastal States/Union Territories, upon request, under its Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs.
Additionally, coral reefs are included in Schedule 1 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, affording them the highest degree of protection.
Further, Protected Areas, including 4 National Parks, 96 Sanctuaries, and 3 Marine Biosphere Reserves, have been created nationwide under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, aimed at conserving marine life, including coral reefs.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has also been established to strengthen the enforcement of laws, control poaching, and combat illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
The CRZ notification, initially issued in 1991, aims to protect the coastal zone and regulate development activities.
Amendments to the CRZ notification occurred in 20n and 2018, reflecting evolving considerations for coastal zone management.
CRZ encompasses four zones, each serving specific purposes:
Coral Reefs
It pertains to ecologically sensitive areas with geomorphological features playing a primary role in maintaining the coast's integrity.
Specific features include:
Marine Park
Significant provisions in the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 include:
The entire water area, comprising 12 nautical miles in the sea and the entire water area of a tidal water body (creek, river, estuary), falls under the regulation of the Notification.
Introducing the hazard line to safeguard the livelihood and property of local communities, including coastal infrastructure. The hazard line will be demarcated by the offices of the Survey of India.
Special dispensation was provided to Greater Mumbai, Kerala, Goa, and Critically Coastal Vulnerable Areas like the Sunderban, considering environmental and social issues.
Addressing erosion concerns along coastal areas caused by man-made interventions. The shoreline will be mapped using up-to-date satellite images, and classified as 'high eroding,' 'medium eroding,' and 'low or stable stretches.' No foreshore development will be permissible in high-eroding areas.
To accommodate the increasing housing demands for fishing communities and other traditional coastal communities, the No Development Zone, typically 200 meters from the High Tide Line, is being reduced to 100 meters.
A. CRZ-1
Coastal Ecosystem
B. CRZ-II
C. CRZ-III
D. CRZ-IV
Dr. Shailesh Nayak Committee (Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences) was constituted in June 2014 to examine issues and concerns of Coastal States/UTs and stakeholders for recommending changes in CRZ Notification, 2011.
The government states that CRZ Notification, 2018, will meet aspirations of Coastal communities, ensure the welfare of the poor, and create opportunities for affordable housing and tourism.
Designed to balance economic growth promotion with coastal region conservation principles.
Salient Features:
Allowing ISI in CRZ areas:
Densely populated rural areas development:
Promotion of tourism infrastructure:
Streamlined CRZ clearances:
Island NDZ stipulation:
Ecologically Sensitive Areas importance:
Pollution abatement focus:
Defence and strategic projects dispensation:
Gulf of Kutch
Blue Flag
Permitted Activities in CRZ of Beaches, Including Islands
Exemption from Prior Clearance
Approximately 500 islands in Andaman & Nicobar and 30 in Lakshadweep.
Diverse biodiversity hotspots, with Andaman & Nicobar having 85% forest coverage.
Geographical constraints lead to overlapping Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations.
The necessity for a separate Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification.
Aims to manage the entire island, excluding four islands in Andaman & Nicobar.
Andaman & Nicobar Island
Objectives of IPZ Notification:
Launched on January 14, 1986, the Ganga Action Plan's primary goal was pollution abatement, aiming to enhance water quality. Strategies included intercepting, diverting, and treating domestic sewage, as well as managing toxic and industrial chemical wastes from identified heavily polluting units entering the river.
In response to assessing the effectiveness of the Ganga Action Plan, the government introduced the "Mission Clean Ganga" on December 31, 2009. The mission's objective was to ensure that by 2020, no municipal sewage or industrial waste would be discharged into the river without treatment. The allocated budget for this comprehensive initiative was around Rs.15,000 crore.
River Ganga
To oversee and facilitate these efforts, the government established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), chaired by the Prime Minister. The NGRBA aimed to ensure effective pollution abatement and conservation of the Ganga River by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management.
Logo of Namai Ganga Program
Nirmal Dhara (Managing Sewage from Rural Areas)
Nirmal Dhara (Managing Industrial Discharge)
Aviral Dhara (Ensuring River Flow):
Ecological Rejuvenation: Ensuring conservation of aquatic life and biodiversity.
Tourism and Shipping Promotion: Promoting tourism and shipping rationally and sustainably.
Knowledge Management: Establishing a Ganga Knowledge Centre leading to a Ganga University of River Sciences.
Arth Ganga
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1. What is the purpose of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in protecting mangrove forests and coral reefs? |
2. How does the Island Protection Zone Notification, 2011 contribute to the protection of mangrove forests and coral reefs? |
3. What is the Ganga Action Plan, and how does it relate to the protection of aquatic ecosystems? |
4. How does the Namami Ganga Program contribute to the protection of mangrove forests and coral reefs? |
5. How do coastal ecosystems benefit from the government measures mentioned in the article? |
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