One-third of India’s Coastline Lost From Erosion: Report

December 6, 2023

GS Paper III Environment Geography

Context: A state-wise study on beaches facing coastal erosion has been conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM).

Third of India’s Coastline Vulnerable to Erosion

Overall status of coastline: 33.6 percent of the Indian coastline is vulnerable to erosion, 26.9 percent is under accretion (growing) and 39.6 percent is in a stable state.
- As per a study by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), over one-third of India’s coastline is susceptible to erosion.
- Human activity and natural processes are responsible for the shoreline changes.
Goa: Of the 50 beaches surveyed, 22 are suffering erosion and 28 are experiencing accretion.Andhra Pradesh: Of the 116 beaches surveyed, 35 are vulnerable to erosion while the remaining beaches are experiencing accretion.
Other states: Up to 21 beaches out of the 31 in Maharashtra, 13 out of 22 in Kerala, nine out of 21 in Tamil Nadu, and 13 out of 18 in Karnataka face erosion.
Impact: The retreating coastline would have a negative impact on fishing communities’ livelihoods.
Framing CZMP: Chief secretaries of all the coastal states and Union Territories have been requested to finalize the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).
- CZMP also includes mapping of erosion prone areas and preparation of a shoreline management plan for identified eroding stretches.

Also Read: Global Coastal Adaptation Efforts: Gaps

NCSCM:

About: It was established in 2011 as an autonomous institution to support the protection, conservation, rehabilitation, management, and policy advice of the coast.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
Mandate: Supports the nationwide adoption of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) approach.

NCCR:

About: It is an attached office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Mandate: It aims to promote research for addressing coastal processes, ecosystems, shoreline erosion, pollution, hazards, and coastal vulnerability.

What is Coastal erosion?

It refers to the rise of local sea level rise. Sands, sediments, and/or rocks along the shore are either carried away or eroded by strong wave action and coastal flooding.
Coastal erosion gives rise to various distinctive geoforms and landforms such as cliffs, beaches, sea caves.
Factors causing Coastal Erosion:
- Waves: As waves approach the shoreline, they carry kinetic energy that is transferred to the coastal landforms and cause erosion.
- Ocean Currents: Longshore currents move parallel to the shoreline and can transport sediments in a lateral direction, contributing to erosion and sediment deposition in certain areas
- Tides: Tidal forces exerted by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun can influence coastal erosion

What measures can be taken to prevent coastal erosion?

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, 2019: It aims to conserve and protect coastal stretches and marine areas, and to ensure livelihood security to fisherfolk and other local communities.
- No Development Zones (NDZ): It provides for NDZ along various categories of coastal areas to protect India’s coastline from encroachment and erosion.
Hazard Mapping: MoEF&CC has delineated the hazard line for the Indian coastline.
Mitigation measures: They have been taken up at Puducherry and Chellanam in Kerala, which helped in restoration and protection of coastal areas lost at Puducherry.
Technical support: It has been extended to the coastal states in creating shoreline management plans and designing coastal protection measures at vulnerable zones.