Question : National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

(a) whether the Government has established National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM);
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives for the same;
(c) the number of research divisions established at NCSCM that will combine geospatial sciences with cutting edge research on conservation, pollution, climate change and community interface;
(d) whether NCSCM, in coordination with other Ministries and State/UT Government, will strive to scientifically map the cumulative vulnerability of coastal environment to climate change and consequent threat to ecology, lives and livelihoods;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the other steps taken by the Government to Develop this Centre as a World- class institution?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b) The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has been established by the Government in order to promote integrated planning and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in India and livelihood security of coastal and Island communities, besides technical support to the Union and State Governments on scientific matters related to coastal environment.

(c) NCSCM has six thematic research Divisions; namely, Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems; Integrated Social Sciences & Economics; Coastal environmental impact assessment; Conservation of Coastal & Marine Resources; Knowledge, Governance Policy; Futuristic Research & Integrated Island Management Unit.

(d) & (e)NCSCM, in association with Survey of India, has undertaken the mapping the Hazard Line for the coasts of India, which includes vulnerability mapping of flood, erosion and sea level rise. The outputs will be used by all the coastal States and UTs in managing the coastal vulnerability.

(f) NCSCM has been envisaged as a world class institution, with world class research infrastructure, laboratory equipment and other aids to facilitate scientific research and decision support systems, besides networking with leading national and international research institutions in the field of coastal environment management.

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