Coastal Erosion in Odisha

Syllabus: GS3/Environment/DM

Context

• Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that about 28% of Odisha’s 564-km coastline is undergoing erosion.

About

• This is based on a study by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), which carried out a comprehensive assessment and mapping of shoreline change analysis along the Odisha coast for the period 1990-2022.
  • The NCCR monitors long-term shoreline changes across the Indian coastline.
• Approximately 28.3% of the coastline is undergoing erosion, 17.6% remains stable, and 54.1% is experiencing accretion or growth. 

Coastal Erosion

• Coastal erosion is the process by which local sea level rise, strong wave action, and coastal flooding wear down or carry away rocks, soils, and/or sands along the coast. 
• The National Centre for Coastal Research, (NCCR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has monitored the shoreline changes for the entire Indian coastline for the period 1990-2018.
  • It is observed that 33.6% of the Indian coastline was vulnerable to erosion, 26.9% was under accretion (growing) and 39.6% was in stable state.
• Impact: The erosion poses severe threats to livelihoods, particularly for fishing communities dependent on coastal stability.
  • Infrastructure such as roads, housing and ports faces significant damage, while biodiversity hotspots, including estuaries and mangroves, are at risk of collapse.
• Factors Responsible: 
  • Rising Sea Levels: Driven by climate change, higher sea levels amplify storm surges and coastal flooding.
  • Sand mining and Infrastructure Projects: Unregulated sand extraction and construction of ports, seawalls, and breakwaters disrupt sediment flow, accelerating erosion in vulnerable areas.
  • Mangrove Depletion: The loss of natural barriers like mangroves leaves the coastline exposed to wave action.

Steps Taken by Government to  in Combating Sea Erosion

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has delineated the hazard line for the entire coast of the country. 
  • The hazard line is indicative of the shoreline changes, including sea level rise due to climate change. 
  • This line is to be used by agencies in Coastal States as a tool for Disaster Management including planning of adaptive and mitigation measures. 
• MoEFCC has notified Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 with a view to conserve and protect coastal stretches, marine areas and to ensure livelihood security to the fisher and other local communities. 
• MoEFCC has framed a national strategy for coastal protection along with guidelines for all Coastal States and Union Territories.
• The Flood Management Scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, including anti-sea erosion schemes, are planned and executed by the State Governments with their own resources as per priorities of States. 
• A new component “Coastal Management Information System (CMIS)” was initiated under the Central Sector Plan Scheme “Development of Water Resources Information System”.
  • CMIS is a data collection activity carried out to collect near shore coastal data which can be used in planning, design, construction and maintenance at vulnerable Coastal stretches. 
• Technical support has been extended to the coastal States in the design of coastal protection measures at vulnerable stretches and preparation of Shoreline Management Plans.

Source: IE