It is the loss or displacement of land, or the long-term removal of sediment and rocks along the coastline due to the action of waves, currents, tides, wind driven water, or other impacts of storms.
Causes of Coastal Erosion:
Natural Factors
- 1. Action of Breaking Waves
- 2. Effect of Severe Cyclonic Storms
- 3. Rise in Sea Level
- 4. Deflation
- 5. Tidal Current
Anthropogenic Factors
- 1.Construction of Unplanned Structures
- 2.Reduction of sediment supply due to damming of rivers
- 3.Removal of sand from beaches
- 4.Dredging of inlet channels
- 5.Unplanned reclamation
Effects of Coastal Erosion:
- Ecological Degradation: Mangroves, coral reefs, and the majority of wetlands along the coast have all been severely damaged. Eg: Coastal erosion is damaged coral reefs near Kovalam coast in Kerela.
- Vulnerability of population: increasing loss of land, with many people migrating or having already migrated. E.g., Current trend of eviction in Sundarbans.
- Resource Depletion: Endemic fishes have been depleted to a large extent like Andhra Coast.
- Pollution: With the increasing of industry, agriculture, and urban areas are degrading the quality of much of the world’s fresh water.
Coastal Management Techniques:
- Usage of Geosynthetic Tubes and Bags.
- Vegetation Planting on Coastal areas.
- Control of Beach groundwater table.
- Nourishment of Artificial Beach.
Suggestions:
The 15th FC had suggested, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) (Ministry of Home Affairs) may develop a policy to deal with the extensive displacement of people caused by coastal and river erosion.
The 15th FC Commission has also recommended for creating NDMF (National Disaster Mitigation Fund) 'Mitigation Measures to Prevent Erosion' and resettlement of Displaced People Affected by Erosion' under NDRF.