Procedure when a complaint is filed on violation of CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) - KCZMA

There are many local inhabitants who are facing difficulties to get permission for their residential buildings due to the restrictions of Coastal Regulation Zone Notification. Though relaxation has been in existence pursuant to the CRZ 2019 Notification and its CZMP of Kerala published on October 2024, there is no scope for regularisation as such the benefit of relaxation is not made available to many. 

The  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change constituted the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority vide order dated 21.3.2023 for a period of three years to enforce the matters coming under this Notificaiton.  

The Authority shall have power to take the following measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating and controlling environmental pollution in the Coastal Regulation Zone areas in the State of Kerala, namely:- 

(i) examination of proposals received from the project proponent for approval of project proposal, in accordance with the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan and within the requirements of the Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2011 issued by the Government of India vide number S.O.19(E), dated the 6 th January, 2011 or Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 issued vide number G.S.R. 37(E), dated the 18th January, 2019 (hereinafter referred to as the said notification), as the case may be, and make recommendation for approval of project to the concerned authority, as specified in the said notification, within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of application; 

(ii) regulate all developmental activities in the Coastal Regulation Zone areas as specified in the said notification; 

(iii) responsible for enforcing and monitoring the provisions of the said notification; 

(iv) issue directions under section 5 of the said Act as specified in the notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 4650(E) dated the 30 September, 2022; 

(v) take action by the person as specified in the amendment notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 4648(E) dated the 30 September, 2022; 

(vi) file complaint under section 19 of the said Act; -The Environment (Protection) Act 1996

(vii) examination of proposals received from the State Government of Kerala for changes or modifications in the classification of Coastal Regulation Zone areas and in the Coastal Zone Management Plan and making specific recommendations thereon, to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority; 

(viii) inquire into cases of alleged violation of the provisions of the said Act or the rules made thereunder, and review the cases involving violation or contravention of the provisions of the said Act and the rules made thereunder; and 

(ix) inquire and review cases of violation or contravention of the said notification suo-moto or on the basis of a complaint made by any individual or body or organization before it;