RAS question
CRZ-II refers to:
Correct answer: (B) Developed urban areas within CRZ.
CRZ-II refers to developed urban areas within the Coastal Regulation Zone that are already substantially built up.
Explanation
CRZ-II is the category for coastal areas that are already urbanised, not for untouched beaches or general riverbanks. The CRZ Notification, 2019 defines CRZ-II as developed land up to or close to the shoreline, within existing municipal limits or other legally designated urban areas, where more than 50 per cent of plots are built up and basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage, water supply and sewerage exists. That matches the explanation's example of substantially built-up coastline such as Mumbai. Because these areas already have authorised development, construction is regulated around existing roads or authorised fixed structures, and no new construction is allowed seaward of existing structures.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Pristine beaches point to relatively undisturbed or ecologically sensitive coastal stretches, whereas CRZ-II is specifically for substantially built-up urban coastal land.
- (C) River banks alone do not define CRZ-II; the category depends on developed municipal or legally designated urban coastal land with existing infrastructure.
- (D) Island territories are not the defining test for CRZ-II, which is identified by already developed urban land within the Coastal Regulation Zone.
Concept
This tests Coastal Regulation Zone classification under environment governance. RAS repeats such questions because CRZ categories link static environmental law with urban development, coastal protection and clearance rules.