{"id":33110,"date":"2024-12-03T18:25:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T12:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=33110"},"modified":"2024-12-10T20:54:40","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:24:40","slug":"india-coastline-erosion-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-12-2024\/india-coastline-erosion-crisis","title":{"rendered":"Coastal Crisis: 33.6% of India\u2019s Coastline Threatened by Erosion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment; Conservation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In a recent Lok Sabha session, the Union Environment Ministry revealed that about one-third of India\u2019s coastline is threatened by erosion, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive coastal management strategies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Coastal Erosion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a significant environmental issue affecting India\u2019s extensive coastline, which spans <strong>over 7,500 kilometers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian mainland coast includes <strong>9 coastal states and 2 Union Territories (UTs)<\/strong> having 66 coastal districts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Morphology <\/strong>of the coast consists of <strong><em>43% sandy beach, 11% rocky coast, 36% of muddy flats, 10% of marshy coast<\/em><\/strong>, 97 major estuaries and 34 lagoons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d4ceca\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"865\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-Coastal-Erosion.png\" alt=\"About the Coastal Erosion\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-33112\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d4ceca; width:619px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-Coastal-Erosion.png 865w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-Coastal-Erosion-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-Coastal-Erosion-768x249.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 865px) 100vw, 865px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dedce0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"865\" height=\"249\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-east-Erosion.png\" alt=\"About the west coast Erosion\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-33111\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dedce0; width:618px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-east-Erosion.png 865w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-east-Erosion-300x86.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-the-east-Erosion-768x221.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 865px) 100vw, 865px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to the <strong>National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) <\/strong><em>(an attached office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences)<\/em>, approximately <strong>33.6% of India\u2019s coastline is vulnerable to erosion<\/strong>, 26.9% is <em>experiencing accretion (growth), and 39.6% remains stable.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>States Prone To Coastal Erosion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Karnataka: <\/strong>The data presented in the Lok Sabha was particularly focused on <strong>Karnataka\u2019s Dakshina Kannada district,<\/strong> where nearly 48.4% of the 36.66 km coastline has been eroded over the past three decades.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This region\u2019s plight is a <strong>microcosm of the broader national issue<\/strong>, with varying degrees of erosion observed across different states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other States<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>West Bengal:<\/strong> Approximately 60.5% of the state\u2019s coastline is affected by erosion, with significant impacts on the Sundarbans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kerala:<\/strong> Nearly 46.4% of Kerala\u2019s coastline faces erosion, with severe consequences for local communities and ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tamil Nadu:<\/strong> Erosion affects 42.7% of the coastline, posing a threat to coastal infrastructure and livelihoods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Causes of Coastal Erosion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Natural Factors:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wave Action:<\/strong> Continuous wave action erodes the shoreline, especially during high tides and storms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sea-Level Rise: <\/strong>Climate change-induced sea-level rise increases the frequency and intensity of coastal flooding and erosion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storm Surges:<\/strong> Cyclones and storm surges cause significant erosion, particularly in low-lying coastal areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anthropogenic Factors:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coastal Development:<\/strong> Infrastructure projects like ports, harbors, and seawalls disrupt natural sediment flow and exacerbate erosion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sand Mining:<\/strong> Illegal sand mining from beaches and riverbeds reduces the natural replenishment of sand along the coast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deforestation:<\/strong> Removal of mangroves and coastal vegetation weakens the natural defense against erosion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impacts of Coastal Erosion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Loss of Land:<\/strong> Coastal erosion leads to the loss of valuable land, affecting agriculture and settlements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Displacement of Communities:<\/strong> Erosion forces coastal communities to relocate, leading to socio-economic challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage to Infrastructure:<\/strong> Roads, bridges, and buildings near the coast are at risk of damage or destruction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biodiversity Loss:<\/strong> Coastal habitats, including mangroves, coral reefs, and wetlands, are degraded, impacting marine biodiversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Initiatives and Mitigation Measures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP): <\/strong>Implemented in Gujarat, Odisha, and West Bengal, this World Bank-assisted project aims to protect and conserve coastal and marine environments through sustainable practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2019)<\/strong>: It aims to conserve and protect coastal stretches, ensuring livelihood security for fisher and local communities while permitting erosion control measures.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It provides for <strong>No Development Zones (NDZ) <\/strong>along various categories of coastal areas to protect India\u2019s coastline from encroachment and erosion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI):<\/strong> The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has developed the CVI <strong>to assess and map the vulnerability<\/strong> of different coastal regions based on various parameters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Maps:<\/strong> INCOIS has developed detailed maps to identify areas vulnerable to coastal hazards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Innovative Engineering Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Artificial Reefs:<\/strong> Constructing artificial reefs can dissipate wave energy and protect the shoreline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eco-friendly Breakwaters:<\/strong> Using materials that blend with the natural environment can provide effective protection without harming marine ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geo-Tube Installation: <\/strong>In areas like Pentha Village in Odisha, geo-tubes have been installed to create artificial barriers that protect the coast from erosion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mangrove and Shelterbelt Plantations:<\/strong> Planting mangroves and other vegetation along the coast helps stabilize the shoreline and reduce the impact of waves and storm surges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Awareness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Community-Driven Conservation:<\/strong> Local communities are encouraged to participate in conservation efforts, leveraging traditional knowledge and modern technology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education and Awareness Campaigns:<\/strong> Raising awareness about the importance of coastal ecosystems and the impacts of erosion can foster community support for mitigation measures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Addressing coastal erosion in India requires a multi-faceted approach that combines scientific research, community involvement, and sustainable development practices.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By implementing effective mitigation measures and promoting awareness, India can protect its coastal regions and ensure the well-being of its coastal communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/environment\/coastal-crisis-environment-ministrys-lok-sabha-reply-shows-336-of-indias-coastline-is-threatened-by-erosion-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: DTE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a recent Lok Sabha session, the Union Environment Ministry revealed that about one-third of India\u2019s coastline is threatened by erosion, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive coastal management strategies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33110"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33521,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33110\/revisions\/33521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}