Buying land near the coast: what CRZ means for you

Uttara Kannada's coastline runs through Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal, and most of it falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Before you make an offer on a plot near the beach, find out which CRZ category it sits in.

The three categories that matter here

• CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas and the intertidal zone. Construction is almost

never allowed.

• CRZ-II covers land within municipal or panchayat limits that already has buildings on either

side of the road. Existing structures can usually be repaired or reconstructed under local rules.

• CRZ-III covers rural coastal stretches. Development is restricted within 200 metres of the

high tide line; beyond that, ordinary panchayat approval usually applies.

What to check before you buy

1. Ask the seller for the CRZ classification in writing, not just verbally.
2. Cross-check the plot against the coastal zone management plan at your taluk office.
3. If construction is the goal, confirm with the gram panchayat or municipal office what is

currently permitted, since rules are revised periodically.

None of this is legal advice — CRZ rules are technical and change over time, so confirm the current position with the taluk office or a lawyer before you commit.