page 1 of 9 high tide line, low tide line and coastal ...€¦ · department of tourism, government...

of 9

HTL, LTL and CRZ for the OTDC project site at Puri, Odisha National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai – 25

Report No. NCSCM/ GEO/CRZ/2017/4)

HIGH TIDE LINE, LOW TIDE LINE AND COASTAL REGULATION ZONE STATUS REPORT PREPARED FOR

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA FOR THE PROJECT SITE AT PURI, ODISHA

1.0 Introduction

Odisha, a maritime state, on the east coast of India, is bounded by West Bengal and

Jharkhand on the North, Andhra Pradesh on the South, the Bay of Bengal on the East and

Chattisgarh on the West. With the vast natural tourism potential of the state, the longest

coastline, the largest brackish water lake (Chilika Lake) which is a heaven for bird lovers

with mind-boggling Eco Tourism spots like Bhitarkanika, Satkosia George, Eco sensitive

forest areas, Similipal, Debrigarh, Usha Kothi, the rich cultural heritage, the handicrafts,

handloom products of Odisha, silver filigrees, stone carving works, sand artists etc., make

Odisha a natural hot tourist destination. Owing to its rich and varied topography, vibrant

culture and captivating festivities, the State of Odisha offers immense tourism delights to

the visitors in the State. Visitors, starting from neighboring states to the far flung

countries throng the state at different times especially during the festivities. In this regard

Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha has embarked on a plan to promote

tourism at outskirts of Puri municipal area. Puri is a coastal District and municipality on

the eastern part of Odisha State. The coastline and beaches of Puri is one of the best

places for tourist. In line with the above objective, the project proponent requested

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment,

Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, Chennai to prepare project

level CRZ map by demarcating the HTL and LTL for the above area. Demarcation of the

High Tide Line (HTL), Low Tide Line (LTL), identification of Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)

and its categories have been carried out on cadastral scale map of 1:4000 scale to

facilitate environmental clearance for the project proponent as NCSCM being an agency

authorized by MoEF&CC, Government of India to demarcate the HTL, LTL and CRZ

categories. The report is prepared based on field investigations carried out during

November-December 2016.

of 9



2.0 Objective The objectives of the study are:

Delineation of HTL and LTL for the proposed tourism development plan at Puri Demarcation of Coastal Regulation Zones Observations on the CRZ categories

3.0 Location of Proposed Project site The proposed project site is located at Puri on the Eastern side of Arabian Sea (Fig. 1) of

Lat. Long. 19°47'46.814"N, 85°46'40.759"E and 19°46'24.72"N, 85°45'37.622"E

Fig. 1: Location Map

4.0 Approach & Methodology The Government of India Notification [S.O.19 (E) dated 6.1.2011] under Section 3(1) and

Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rule 5(3)(d) of Environment

of 9



(Protection) Rules, 1986 declares ‘the coastal stretches of the country and the water area

upto its territorial water limit as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)’ (MoEF & CC, 2011). All

developmental activities in the CRZ are regulated through the CRZ Notification (MoEF &

CC, 2011).

The CRZ consists of the following:

1. Land area from High Tide Line (HTL) to 500 m on the landward side along the sea

front.

2. Land area from HTL to 100 m or width of the creek whichever is less on the landward

side along the tidal influenced water bodies that are connected to the sea and the

distance up to which development along such tidal influenced water bodies is to be

regulated are governed by the distance upto which the tidal effects are experienced

which is determined based on salinity concentration of 5 parts per thousand (ppt)

measured during the driest period of the year and distance up to which tidal effects

are experienced would be clearly identified and demarcated accordingly in the

Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs). Tidal influenced water bodies means the

water bodies influenced by tidal effects from sea, in the bays, estuaries, rivers,

creeks, backwaters, lagoons, ponds connected to the sea or creeks and the like.

3. Land area falling between the hazard line and 500 m from HTL on the landward side,

in case of seafront and between the hazard line and 100 m line in case of tidal

influenced water body. The word ‘hazard line’ denotes the line demarcated by

Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change (MoEF& CC) through the

Survey of India (SOI) taking into account tides, waves, sea level rise and shoreline

changes.

4. Land area between HTL and Low Tide Line (LTL) which will be termed as the

intertidal zone.

5. The water and the bed area from the LTL to the territorial water limit (12 Nm) in

case of sea and the water and the bed area from LTL at the bank to the LTL on the

opposite side of the bank, of tidal influenced water bodies.

of 9



According to the CRZ Notification, 2011, the tidal influenced water body has been defined

as bays, estuaries, rivers, creeks, backwaters, lagoons and ponds connected to the sea or

creeks and the like. The distance from the HTL shall apply to both sides of the tidal

influenced water body. The CRZ Notification categorizes Coastal Regulation Zones as CRZ

I, CRZ II, CRZ III and CRZ IV based on whether the area is ecologically sensitive, developed,

undeveloped or water body and its bed. Ecologically sensitive and important areas and

the intertidal zone constitute CRZ I. Sensitive ecosystems such as mangroves, corals, turtle

nesting grounds, salt marshes, mudflats, etc., are classified as CRZ IA. Intertidal zone is

CRZ IB. The areas that have already been developed up to or close to the shoreline are

categorized as CRZ II. Areas that are relatively undisturbed belong to CRZ III. The water

area and the bed constitute CRZ IV.

The CRZ Notification of 2011 has also defined Critical Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCA),

which includes Sunderbans, and other identified ecological important areas including Gulf

of Khambhat and Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat. It is to prepare Integrated Management

Plans (IMPs) for such CVCA keeping in view of the conservation and management of

mangroves, needs of local communities such as, dispensaries, schools, public rain shelter,

community toilets, bridges, roads, jetties, water supply, drainage, sewerage and the

impact of sea level rise and other natural disasters. The IMPs will be prepared as per the

guidelines of the MoEF& CC.

The Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) prepared based on 1991 Notification and

approved in 1996 remains valid for 2 years (from January 2011 when the CRZ 2011 was

issued) or till a new CZMP is prepared and got approved (MoEF& CC, 2011).

5.0 Base map

Base map of sufficiently large scale is needed to accomplish maximum accuracy for the

CRZ maps. Cadastral map of the area in 1:5000 scale with survey plot information is used

of 9



as the base map. The HTL is delineated with reference to the survey plot boundaries for

easy verification in the field.

6.0 Data Source

In addition to field investigation, data from a various sources were used for compilation of

the final CRZ map and preparation of the CRZ report. The principal data sources include:

Hydrographic charts of Naval Hydrographic Office

Toposheets of Survey of India

Aerial Photos

Satellite image

7.0 Tides Tide is an important parameter determining the maximum reach of seawater along the sea

coast and on the banks of rivers, creeks and backwater. The tidal range plays an important

role in determining the landward extent of the reach of seawater into the land along rivers

and backwaters. The influx of sea water determines the salinity in the river or backwater.

The influence of tidal action on the banks of rivers, creeks and backwaters is determined

based on salinity concentration of 5 parts per thousand (MoEF, 2001). The largest known

tidal range at Puri is 2.27m.

8.0 Coastal Zone Management Plan of Orissa

The Coastal Zone Management Plan of Orissa has been approved by Ministry of

Environment and Forest, Government of India in 1996 subject to certain conditions (MoEF,

1996). Different categories of CRZ have been approved for the state of Orissa. Sand dunes

where categorized as CRZ I in addition to those specified in the CRZ Notification such as

mangroves, fish spawning and breeding grounds, etc. A 50 m buffer zone was given to

mangrove areas having coverage more than 1000 sq m.

of 9



9.0 High Tide Line extraction

High Tide Line was identified from Aerial photo based on geomorphologic features and

other features such as embankments, landward boundaries of tidal flats (MoEF& CC,

2011). Field investigations were carried out during November-December 2016. The

distance and positions of HTL which was extracted from the aerial photographs were

verified in the field using high precision Trimble DGPS. An appraisal of existing land use /

landform in the project area was also carried out.

10.0 Land use and land form

The landuse mainly consists of existing residential areas, agricultural land and associated

facilities. Medium to coarse grained wide sandy beaches bordered landward by sand

dunes are present along the study area. The beach face is having a medium slope with a

width varying from between 40 to 60m. Coastal sand dunes are observed at the project

site. The sand dune height ranges from 3 to 4 m are observed along the coast and

river/creek bank.

11.0 Identification of HTL/LTL with respect to the site

The CRZ Notification defines the “HTL as the line on the land up to which the highest

water line reaches during the spring tide”. The HTL/LTL has to be identified based on

coastal geomorphologic signatures in the field/satellite imageries/aerial photographs

following the guidelines given by MoEF&CC (2011). Delineation of the HTL, LTL and

identification of Coastal Regulation Zones were carried out based on field investigations

and the CZMP of Odisha.

12.0 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) for the project site

The landward extent of CRZ is equal to the width of the creek/river subject to a maximum

of 100 m in the case of creek and river. The water body part except the intertidal zones,

mudflats and mangroves are CRZ IV. The intertidal zone without mangroves and mudflats

is CRZ IB.

of 9



Mangroves, which are CRZ IA, are not present at the site. The proposed project site falls

on the sea coast and part of the project site falls within 200m NDZ. Being a rural area the

CRZ landward extend falls under CRZ III Category. Part of the proposed storm water

network falls within No Development Zone (NDZ) and Sand dune area (CRZ IA). Few

proposed buildings and swimming pools are within Sand dune area which is categories as

CRZ IA. Construction of roads/resorts/swimming pools is not permissible within Sand

dune/CRZ IA areas and NDZ as per CRZ Notification 2011. As per para 8 (i) III A (iii) (j)

of CRZ Notification 2011, No constructions shall be permitted within NDZ except for

repairs or reconstruction of existing authorized structure. However, construction of

dispensaries, schools, public rain shelter, community toilets, bridges, roads, provision of

facilities for water supply, drainage, sewerage, crematoria, cemeteries and electric sub-

station which are required for the local inhabitants may be permitted on a case to case

basis by CZMA. The categorization of CRZ in the approved CZMP may be followed for

categorization of CRZ (Fig. 3).

13. 0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Proposed project site is located on the sea coast of Puri. Cadastral maps in 1:5000 are used as the base maps for CRZ mapping. The HTL, LTL, ESAs and CRZ categories are presented in 1:4000 scale cadastral maps with survey plot information.

The HTL and LTL are demarcated from aerial photographs/satellite images by taking into consideration different signatures such as boundaries of embankments, vegetation and bunds as existed at the aerial photo/satellite image.

Mangroves, which are CRZ IA, are not present at the site. The Inter tidal zone found on the sea side is CRZ I B.

The proposed Odisha tourism development project site falls outside of Municipal/Corporation boundary and categorized as CRZ III.

The proposed project site possess NDZ area (200m line), CRZ IA (Sand dune) and CRZ III.

Proposed site layout Plan for tourism development is incorporated in the CRZ map.

Construction of hotels or beach resorts shall be permissible within the 200 m to 500 m area of CRZIII beyond NDZ area subject to the conditions as specified in the guidelines at Annexure-III of CRZ Notification 2011. The development or

of 9



redevelopment shall continue to be undertaken in accordance with the norms laid down in the Town and Country Planning Regulations as they existed on the date of issue of the notification dated the 19th February, 1991, unless specified otherwise in CRZ notification, 2011.

Construction of roads/resorts/swimming pools is not permissible with in Sand dune and NDZ as per CRZ Notification 2011.

Part of the proposed storm water network falls within No Development Zone (NDZ) and Sand dune area (CRZ IA).

Few proposed buildings and swimming pools are within Sand dune area which is categories as CRZ IA.

As per para 8 (i) III A (iii) (j) of CRZ Notification 2011, No construction shall be permitted within NDZ except for repairs or reconstruction of existing authorized structure. However, construction of dispensaries, schools, public rain shelter, community toilets, bridges, roads, provision of facilities for water supply, drainage, sewerage, crematoria, cemeteries and electric sub-station which are required for the local inhabitants may be permitted on a case to case basis by CZMA

The categorization of CRZ in the approved CZMP may be followed for CRZ categorization.

References

MoEF, 1991. Notification No.S.0114 dated 19th February, 1991, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, New Delhi.

MoEF, 1996. Letter No. Letter No.J-17011/8/95-IA-III, dated 27-9-1996 dated 27th September 1996 to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra. Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, New Delhi.

MoEF, 2011.Notification No. S.O.19 (E) dated 6.1.2011, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, New Delhi.

NHO, 1986.Hydrographic Chart no 2011. Naval Hydrographic Office, Dehra Dun, 1986.

of 9



PLATES

Plate 1: Proposed Project Site

Plate 2: Coastal Sand dune

page 1 of 9 high tide line, low tide line and coastal ...€¦ · department of tourism, government...

Documents