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• The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011 issued by the Government of India under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, declares the coastal stretches of the country and the water (and bed) area upto its 12-mile territorial water limit as well as tidal-influenced water bodies, as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), and imposes restrictions on industries, operations and processes in this zone.
• For the purpose of conserving and protecting the coastal areas and marine waters, the CRZ area shall be classified as follows, namely:-

(i) CRZ-I:

1. The areas that are ecologically sensitive and the geomorphological features which play a role in the maintaining the integrity of the coast,-

• Mangroves;
• Corals and coral reefs and associated biodiversity;
• Sand Dunes;
• Mudflats which are biologically active;
• National parks, marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats and other protected areas
• Salt Marshes;
• Turtle nesting grounds;
• Horse shoe crabs habitats;
• Sea grass beds;
• Nesting grounds of birds;
• Areas or structures of archaeological importance and heritage sites.

1. The area between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line;

(ii) CRZ-II:

• The areas that have been developed upto or close to the shoreline.

(iii) CRZ-III:

• Areas that are relatively undisturbed and those do not belong to either CRZ-I or II which include coastal zones in the rural areas and also areas within municipal limits or in other legally designated urban areas, which are not substantially built up.

(iv) CRZ-IV:

1. the water area from the Low Tide Line to twelve nautical miles on the seaward side;
2. shall include the water area of the tidal influenced water body from the mouth of the water body at the sea up to the influence of tide.