(a) the details of the changes noticed in water level of sea due to increase in temperature across the world during the last five decades;
(b) the way in which the coastal areas of the country have been adversely affected due to indifferent attitude towards laws related to unauthorized development, decrease in green areas, uncontrolled tourism and coastal protection in the said areas; and
(c) the way in which the Government proposes to save the coastal areas from rising water level of sea?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) According to the fifth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global mean rate of sea level rise was 1.7 mm per year between 1901 and 2010, a total rise of 0.19 meter. Further, as per the studies carried out by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), the sea level are changing at different rates along the Indian coast. On an average, the sea level along the Indian coast is rising at the rate of 0.33 to 5.16 mm/year and the trend is expected to continue.
(b) With a view to conserve and protect the unique environment of the marine areas of the country and to promote development in a sustainable manner, the Central Government issued the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification in 1991. This was followed up with suitable amendments from time to time and a comprehensive revision in 2011. All the activities in the Coastal Regulation Zone are regulated through various provisions of the Notification including measures for conservation of natural resources, protection of green areas, scientific regulation of developmental activities and tourism etc. The regulations stipulate adequate safeguards for controlling unauthorized tourism and development. The mangroves, which are green areas, have seen an increase over the years.
(c) The Central Government has constituted Coastal Zone Management Authorities (CZMAs) for the Coastal States / Union Territories (UTs) for implementing and enforcing the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification in respective States / UTs. The CZMAs are empowered for taking action against the violations.
The Government of India, supplements the efforts of the coastal States by providing technical advice and promotional financial assistance for management of coastal erosion in critical areas. Further, Government has made amendments to the CRZ Notification, 2011 from time to time.
The Government, under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project, have demarcated the hazard line along the entire coastal belt of the Country. The hazard line is indicative of the shoreline changes, including the sea level rise due to climate change.
The ICZM project also envisages large-scale assessment of the risks associated with shoreline changes and preparation of a framework for development of management solutions to combat these risks. Under this Project, shoreline management plans have been prepared for five identified coastal stretches in Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal on a pilot basis.
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