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Introduction

India’s 11,000-km coastline supports nearly 250 million people and faces rising climate risks from sea-level rise, cyclones, and saline intrusion. Despite proven benefits of mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs, Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) remains marginal in coastal policy.

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Reasons for EbA’s Marginalisation 

• Infrastructure Bias: Coastal adaptation spending continues to favour visible engineering solutions over ecosystem-based measures.
  Eg: Seawalls and embankments dominate despite the protective role of mangroves during Cyclone Dana in Odisha.
• Low Recognition: Many ecosystem restoration activities are not formally recognized as EbA, reducing their policy visibility and funding support.
  Eg: Mangrove and coral reef interventions are rarely classified as Ecosystem-based Adaptation.
• Institutional Silos: Coastal governance responsibilities are fragmented across environment, fisheries, disaster management, and coastal development agencies.
  Eg: Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) implementation involves multiple agencies, often creating coordination challenges in ecosystem management.
• Short-Term Focus: Policymakers often prefer projects yielding immediate outcomes, whereas ecosystem restoration requires longer gestation periods.
  Eg: Mangrove restoration may take years to deliver full protective benefits, unlike seawalls.

Limitations of EbA

• Space Constraints: Urbanized and densely populated coastal areas may lack sufficient space for ecosystem restoration.
  Eg: Mumbai’s heavily developed coastline limits opportunities for large-scale mangrove expansion.
• Ecological Uncertainty: Effectiveness varies depending on ecosystem health, species composition, and local environmental conditions.
  Eg: Degraded coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar may provide weaker coastal protection than healthy reef systems.
• Monitoring Challenges: Measuring adaptation benefits from ecosystems is often more complex than evaluating physical infrastructure projects.
• Extreme Events: EbA alone may not provide adequate protection against highly intense climate disasters.
  Eg: NDMA guidelines recognize the need for combining ecosystem restoration with resilient infrastructure in disaster-prone zones.

Way Forward

• Policy Integration: Explicitly incorporate EbA into coastal adaptation, disaster management, and climate action plans in line with Green Climate Fund.
• Dedicated Finance: Create targeted climate-finance windows for ecosystem restoration and nature-based adaptation.
• Community Participation: Empower local communities in ecosystem conservation and restoration efforts.
  Eg: Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) projects have promoted community-based coastal resource management.
• Scientific Mapping: Use GIS and ecological assessments to identify priority areas for mangrove, coral reef, and seagrass restoration.
  Eg: ISRO’s coastal vulnerability mapping supports evidence-based adaptation planning.
• Hybrid Approach: Combine natural ecosystems with engineered infrastructure for comprehensive coastal resilience.
  Eg: NDMA’s coastal disaster management framework encourages integrating ecosystem buffers with protective infrastructure.

Conclusion

India’s coastal resilience strategy should move beyond an infrastructure-centric approach toward mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation. Integrating EbA into policy, finance, community governance, and climate planning can deliver cost-effective, sustainable, and socially inclusive protection against escalating coastal risks.

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