Coastal Erosion Crisis In India

In the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament, the Union Environment Ministry presented data that highlighted the issue of coastal erosion in India.

• India has a coastline spanning over 7,500 kilometers across 13 states and union territories.

Key Points Presented By the Ministry of Environment Regarding Coastal Erosion

• National Overview of Coastal Erosion: 33.6% of India’s coastline faces erosion, 26.9% shows accretion, and 39.6% remains stable.
• More than 40% of erosion is noticed in four states/UT: 
  • West Bengal (63%), Pondicherry (57%), Kerala (45%) and Tamil Nadu (41%) coast.
• Study Period: Based on a study by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) covering 1990-2018 using satellite imagery and field surveys.
• Vulnerable Areas Identified: Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Maps (MHVM) by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information and Services (INCOIS) use high-resolution terrain mapping to pinpoint areas at risk.
  • These maps use data from extreme water levels, shoreline changes, sea level rise, and high-resolution terrain mapping to identify areas vulnerable to disasters like tsunamis and storm surges
• Situation in Karnataka’s District-Level Insights:
  • Dakshina Kannada: 17.74 km (48.4 per cent) of Dakshina Kannada’s 36.66 km coastline was eroded from 1990 to 2018.
  • Udupi: 34.7 percent erosion (34.96 km of 100.71 km)
  • Uttara Kannada: Lowest erosion at 12.3% of its 175.65 km coastline.

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About Coastal Erosion

• Definition: Coastal erosion is the process by which coastlines are eroded or worn away due to natural forces, primarily wave action, currents, cyclones, tides, and human activities such as sand mining, infrastructure construction, pollution, destruction of mangroves, dredging etc.

Causes of Coastal Erosion

• Natural Causes:
  • Wave Action and Tides: Constant wave action and high-energy tides cause sediment displacement.
  • Sea Level Rise: Accelerated by climate change, leading to submergence of coastal areas.
  • Cyclones and Storm Surges: Frequent cyclones amplify erosion, particularly along the eastern coast.
• Anthropogenic Causes:
  • Sand Mining: Unsustainable extraction disrupts sediment balance.
  • Infrastructure Development: Ports, harbors, and urbanisation alter natural sediment flow.
  • Deforestation of Mangroves: Loss of natural barriers increases coastal vulnerability.
  • Pollution: Waste deposition and industrial discharges destabilise coastal soils.

Mechanical Process of Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion primarily occurs through four main processes:

• Corrasion: Strong waves hurl beach materials like pebbles against cliffs, gradually eroding them and creating wave-cut notches.
• Abrasion: Waves carrying sand and larger fragments wear away the base of cliffs or headlands, producing a sandpaper-like effect, particularly during storms.
• Hydraulic Action: When waves hit a cliff, they trap air in cracks. 
  • When the waves pull back, the trapped air bursts out forcefully, breaking off chunks of the cliff, especially since weathering has already weakened the rock.
• Attrition: Waves cause rocks and pebbles to collide with each other, breaking them down into smaller pieces.

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Impact of Coastal Erosion

• Loss of Land and Habitat: Coastal erosion leads to the loss of valuable land, especially in densely populated coastal areas. This results in the displacement of communities and loss of critical ecosystems.
  • Example: As the sea advances, mangrove forests in Sundarbans, West Bengal are being eroded, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on these resources.
• Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods: Coastal erosion leads to the salinisation of agricultural lands, which impacts crop yields and disrupts traditional farming practices. 
  • Fishermen, who depend on healthy coastal ecosystems, are also adversely affected.
    • Example: In parts of Kochi, Kerala coastal erosion is causing saltwater intrusion into agricultural fields.
• Coastal Flooding and Storm Surges: The erosion of natural barriers like dunes, mangroves, and coral reefs increases the vulnerability of coastal areas to storm surges and flooding, especially during monsoons and cyclones.
• Impact on Biodiversity: Coastal erosion threatens habitats for marine and terrestrial species, particularly in sensitive ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, and sandy beaches. 
  • This leads to the loss of biodiversity and the depletion of resources that local communities rely on.
• Increased Vulnerability to Climate Change: Example: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are experiencing rising sea levels and coastal erosion, which threaten their ecosystems and infrastructure. 
•  National and Global Security Concerns
  • Strategic Locations at Risk: Vulnerability of naval bases, ports, and island territories like Lakshadweep.
  • Geopolitical Ramifications: Increased competition for marine resources due to shifting coastlines.
    • Example: Recently, the Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 18 Indian fishermen for alleged illegal fishing in the island nation’s territorial waters and seized their fishing trawler.

Challenges in Tackling Coastal Erosion In India

• Climate Change Impacts: Rising sea levels, increased frequency of storms, and changes in wave patterns due to climate change intensify the vulnerability of coastal regions to erosion.
• Inadequate Coastal Management Policies: While Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) exists, its implementation is often weak, with inconsistent enforcement and a lack of coordination between stakeholders, leading to ineffective erosion management.
• Loss of Natural Coastal Buffers: Destruction of natural buffers like mangroves, coral reefs, and sand dunes, often due to human activity, leaves coastlines more exposed to erosion, flooding, and other environmental hazards.
• Lack of Coastal Data and Research: Insufficient data and research on local coastal dynamics and erosion trends hinder effective decision-making and long-term planning for coastal protection.
• Pollution: Coastal pollution, especially plastic waste and untreated sewage, can affect marine ecosystems and sediment transport, aggravating erosion problems.

Difference between Hard Engineering and Soft Engineering Coastal Management Techniques

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Government Initiatives to Combat Coastal Erosion in India

• Delineation of Hazard Line: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) 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. 
  • The hazard line features in the new Coastal Zone Management Plans of the coastal States/Union territories approved by the MoEFCC.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019
  • Aims to conserve coastal stretches, protect marine areas, and secure livelihoods for fisher and local communities. Allows for erosion control measures along the coast.
  • Introduces No Development Zones (NDZs) to prevent encroachment and minimize erosion.
• Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs)
  • In compliance with a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, all coastal states and UTs were instructed to finalize CZMPs.
  • These plans include mapping erosion-prone areas and preparing Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) for affected stretches.
• National Strategy for Coastal Protection
  • MoEFCC has developed a national strategy with guidelines for all coastal states and Union Territories to implement effective coastal protection measures.

• Coastal Management Information System (CMIS)
  • CMIS is a data collection activity carried out to collect near shore coastal data which can be used in planning, design, construction and maintenance of site specific coastal protection structures at vulnerable Coastal stretches.
• Karnataka Government Efforts: The Karnataka government has prepared a Shoreline Management Plan as per the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification (CRZ), 2019.
  • It is implementing the World Bank-funded Karnataka Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (K-SHORE) project. 
    • The initiative aims to strengthen coastal protection and enhance resilience against natural disasters, safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities through sustainable practices as well as address marine plastic pollution.
• Others: 
  • Geospatial Mapping: Utilises Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing to monitor erosion hotspots.
    • Example: The Chilika Development Authority remote sensing to monitor shoreline changes and manage sedimentation in Chilka Lake, Odisha.
  • Soft Engineering Techniques: Beach nourishment and plantation of mangroves, indigenous plants for shoreline stabilisation.
    • Example: Beach Nourishment in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Artificial Reefs and Breakwaters: Reduce wave energy to control erosion.
    • Example: Tamil Nadu has deployed artificial reefs in several locations to enhance fish habitats while mitigating wave action and erosion.
  • Community-Based Approaches: Encouraging local participation in conservation projects. 
    • Example: Sundari Project: The aim of the Sundari project is to restore 4,000 hectares of urban degraded mangroves in the Indian Sundarbans by planting multiple local species and supporting local livelihoods.
  • BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services): On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
    • It is launched by Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) 
    • with an  aim to reduce coastal pollution, promote sustainable beach development, conserve ecosystems, and ensure cleanliness, hygiene, and safety for beachgoers.

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Way Forward

• Implementation of Coastal Adaptation Measures: Coastal Adaptation refers to strategies and actions designed to protect coastal areas from the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, and natural hazards such as storms and erosion. Example:
  • Traditional hard engineering solutions such as seawalls, breakwaters, and jetties can be used to mitigate coastal erosion.
• Implementation of Nature-based solutions (NbS): such as mangrove restoration, bamboo fences, and oyster reefs can be promoted as effective alternatives.
• Enhancing Coastal Data Systems: Expand the Coastal Management Information System (CMIS) to more regions for accurate data collection.
  • Leverage satellite imagery, GIS mapping, and real-time AI-based erosion monitoring.
• Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs): Expedite the preparation and implementation of SMPs for all erosion-prone areas identified in Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs).
• Rehabilitation and Resettlement of People Displaced Due to Coastal Erosion: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should develop a policy aligned with the 15th Finance Commission’s 2021 report, which, for the first time, highlighted the need for rehabilitation and resettlement of people displaced by river and coastal erosion.
• Call for a Paradigm Shift: There is an urgent need to shift from reactive measures to sustainable, proactive strategies addressing both natural and human-induced drivers of coastal erosion.

Conclusion

• A sustainable and collaborative approach is essential to address coastal erosion effectively. 
• By integrating science, policy, and community action, India can protect its coastal ecosystems, ensure the safety of its communities, and foster resilience against the evolving challenges of climate change.