Rise in Sea Level in India

Syllabus: GS3/Environment and Conservation

Context

• Kerala’s coastline has transformed dramatically over the past three decades, shrinking under the relentless forces of coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and human interventions. 
  • Over 55% of Kerala’s coastline is now classified as vulnerable, threatening the livelihoods of over 9.3 million people across nine coastal districts.

Rising Sea Level Across India

• Earlier, the report titled “Sea Level Rise Scenarios and Inundation Maps for Selected Indian Coastal Cities”, published by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), provides critical insights into the projected impacts of sea level rise (SLR) on 15 Indian coastal cities.
• The report highlights that sea levels in Indian coastal cities have risen significantly, with Mumbai witnessing the highest increase, followed by Haldia and Visakhapatnam. 
• By 2040, over 10% of land in Mumbai, Yanam, and Thoothukudi is projected to be submerged, while Panaji and Chennai may see 5%-10% inundation. 
• Other cities like Kochi, Mangaluru, and Puri face 1%-5% submergence. This emphasizes the urgent need for localized adaptation and resilience strategies to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels.

Reasons for the Rise of Sea Level

• Rising Temperatures:  Climate change brought on by fossil-fuel burning and greenhouse gas emissions has led to a steady increase in global temperatures. 
• Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps: As global temperatures rise, ice melts, contributing more water to the oceans.
• Thermal Expansion: As seawater warms, it expands, taking up more space and raising sea levels.

Challenges Associated with the Rise in Sea Level

• Key sectors that will be impacted include water, agriculture, forest and biodiversity, and health.
• Coastal Flooding: Increased flooding of low-lying coastal areas, displacing communities and damaging infrastructure.
• Agriculture Impact: Saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, affecting crop production.
• Displacement of People: Threatens millions living in coastal regions, increasing migration and pressure on inland areas.
• Economic Losses: Damage to ports, tourism, and fishing industries, affecting livelihoods and the economy.

India’s Efforts to Combat Climate Change

• Renewable Energy Expansion: India has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, aiming to increase its capacity significantly. 
• International Commitments: India is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and has announced its aim to meet 50% of its electricity demands from renewable energy sources by 2030.
• Afforestation and Forest Conservation: There are programs to increase forest cover, restore degraded lands, and promote sustainable forest management practices.
• Clean Transportation: India is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and has set a target of 30% EV market share by 2030. 
• Climate Resilience: This includes the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, water conservation techniques, and disaster preparedness measures.
• International Cooperation: Engaging in initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

India’s Coastline – As per the recent MHA report, India’s coastline expanded by almost half in just over five decades – from 7,516km in 1970 to 11,098km in 2023-24 – with states like Bengal, Gujarat and Goa adding to their shoreline while Puducherry’s shrunk by 10.4%. – It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south.  – States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. 1. Gujarat has the longest coastline in India. – Union territories: Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Source: TOI