Our Fragile Coasts: Scientific Approaches and Solutions

Photo courtesy: NCCR
Marine erosion along the Ramayapatnam coast in Odisha.

Abstract: The Indian coasts hold diverse geomorphological features—mudflats, rocky shores, cliffs, sandy beaches and deltaic reaches that shelter unique ecosystems. However, significant sections of the coastline are vulnerable to erosion, inundation, and shoreline changes, both natural and anthropogenic. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) Shoreline Change Atlas indicates that 33.6 per cent of India’s coast is undergoing erosion, 39.6 per cent is stable and 26.9 per cent is accreting.

The authors are Scientist D, Scientist E, Scientist G and Director, National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, respectively. rajusk@nccr.gov.in. The article should be cited as Raju Alluri S.K., V. Ramanathan, R.S. Kankara and M.V. Ramana Murthy. 2022. Our Fragile Coasts - Scientific Approaches and Solutions,  Geography and You, 22(148): 16-23