The concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management was adopted by the world nations at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 as the best approach to address the complexities of sustainable coastal development. India has been at the forefront of implementing Coastal Zone Management (CZM)-based coastal development by providing legislative support through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), Island Protection Zone (IPZ), and Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notifications. The notifications give a framework for coastal governance and provide a buffer zone for accommodating the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change. It ensures the rights of traditional coastal communities and protects environmentally important coastal systems by permitting only those activities requiring shore frontage in the coastal zone. It mandates the preparation of CZM plans demarcating conservation zones and regulated development zones based on geomorphology, ecosystems, demography, and developmental status. Coastal management of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep are facilitated through IPZ and ICRZ. A modified framework of CRZ has been incorporated with re-notifications in 2011 and 2019. It is an attempt to move from a purely regulatory approach to a management approach. Over the years, the above notifications have helped the country to move toward sustainable coastal development. Certain provisions in the re-notifications have gone against the spirit of the original notification. Even with the CRZ framework in place, damaging activities still continue in the coastal area. Regulations have also affected many of the traditional rights of the fisher community who are “ecosystem people.” The platform of CRZ could be the facilitator for sustainable development of the coastal zone including its people provided the strengths are consolidated and the weaknesses are addressed through better coastal governance.