Introduction
Coastal Profile of India
The eastern coast of India is low-lying, with lagoons, marshes, beaches and deltas, while rocky shores dominate the western coast. The coastal ecosystem comprises coastal wetlands, coral reefs (area of 2,300 sq km), mangroves (area of 6,700 sq km, of which 1,506 sq km is protected), lagoons and estuaries. Extensive seagrass beds are found in Southern India. There is relatively poor reef growth on the West Coast of India, except in the Gulf of Kachchh region. Reef growth becomes more vigorous towards the southern tip of India and around the coast of Sri Lanka.
Threats to the coastal ecosystem: Pollution
The coastal waters off the Indian coast are exposed to pollution from various sources inland, coastal, offshore and atmospheric. Major pollutants include:
industrial wastes from leather tanneries, mining, Motextiles, cixernioel and other industries;
sewage from urban centers;
fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural operations; and pollution due to oil exploration and mining, oil refining and transportation, oil spills and bilge discharge from ships, etc. Shipbreaking yards are also highly polluting.
Degradation of natural habitats
Mangrove forests have been cleared for aquaculture farms and also for use as firewood and timber. Mangrove habitats have also been affected by increased sedimentation and salinity increase in coastal areas, a consequence also of the reduced freshwater supplies brought about by construction of dams and groundwater mining.
Coastal wetlands and mangroves have been reclaimed in many parts of the country.
Coral reef formations have been exploited for saleable products and affected by pollution, sedimentation and tidal wave action.
Overfishing and the use of destructive gear has lead to the depletion of almost all important species in Indian coastal water.
Coastal erosion
Parts of the Indian coastline, especially along the States of Kerala and Karnataka, are vulnerable to erosion, a problem often aggravated by the construction of poorly designed coastal protection structures.
Legislation of relevance to coastal management and status of implementation.
India is one of the few countries in the region with a specific legislation for the protection of the coastal zone. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991, was issued under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
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