Q. Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard ?

Model Answer: 

Coastal Erosion in India: Causes, Effects, and Management Techniques

Coastal erosion, the process of land loss along coastlines, poses significant challenges to India’s 7,500 km long coastline. This phenomenon is driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors.

Causes of coastal erosion in India:

Natural causes include:
• Wave action and tidal movements
• Sea-level rise due to climate change
• Cyclones and storm surges (e.g., Cyclone Amphan, 2020)

Anthropogenic causes encompass:
• Sand mining from beaches and riverbeds
• Mangrove deforestation for urban development
• Coastal construction (e.g., ports, jetties)
• Dam construction on rivers, reducing sediment supply to coasts

The effects of coastal erosion in India are far-reaching:

• Loss of land and property, threatening coastal settlements
• Damage to infrastructure like roads and buildings
• Degradation of coastal ecosystems, impacting biodiversity (e.g., Olive Ridley turtles)
• Negative impact on coastal livelihoods, particularly fishing and tourism
• Increased vulnerability to natural disasters, exacerbating flood risks

To combat this hazard, various coastal management techniques are employed:

Hard engineering solutions:
• Seawalls and revetments to protect shorelines
• Groynes and breakwaters to trap sediment
• Artificial headlands to modify wave patterns

Soft engineering solutions:
• Beach nourishment by adding sand
• Dune rehabilitation to create natural barriers
• Mangrove afforestation (e.g., Sundarbans restoration)

Integrated approaches play a crucial role:
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): A holistic approach combining environmental, socio-economic, and governance aspects
• Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ): Legal framework to regulate development in coastal areas

These techniques are often used in combination to address site-specific erosion issues. For instance, the Pondicherry coast employs a mix of groynes and beach nourishment.

Effective implementation requires scientific assessment, stakeholder consultation, regular monitoring, and balancing development needs with conservation.

Conclusion: Sustainable coastal management in India necessitates a balanced approach, combining engineering solutions with ecosystem-based strategies and effective policy implementation.