Coastal Erosion:
As per the Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) 34% of India’s coastline is under erosion. West Bengal has suffered the worst (60.5% of its coast is threatened by 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.
- There are four main processes of coastal erosion.
- These are corrosion, abrasion, hydraulic action and attrition.
- Agency: National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) (Under MoES) is monitoring shorelines since 1990.
- Impact: Destruction of biodiversity and habitat, loss of fertile land, loss of tourism, etc.
- Mitigation: Coastal erosion structures Seawalls, revetments, bulkheads, groins and breakwaters may reduce erosion in the short term.
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)has prepared and published an atlas of Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) maps for the entire coastline
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM): It ensures optimum suitable use of coastal natural resources
- National centre for Sustainable coastal management (NSCSCM): To research the areas of CZM including coastal resources and the environment.
