Question : Erosion of Coastal Land

(a) whether the Union Government is aware of the matter of continuous rise of sea level in coastal Gujarat resulting in rapid erosion of coastal land there and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether Government has consulted State Government of Gujarat and prepared any action plan in this regard;
(c) if so, the updated status of action taken by Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any scientific study to assess the impact of such erosion on coastal ecology and in lives of poor people of coastal Gujarat; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken on findings of such study?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (e): Yes Madam. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai in association with the Institute of Ocean Management, Anna University, has conducted a study regarding assessment of shoreline changes for the entire coast of mainland India, extending from Gujarat in the west coast to West Bengal in the east coast. Based on the study, the coastline of mainland India has been classified as high erosion, medium erosion, low erosion and stable coast.

In order to conserve and protect the coastal areas, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) in selected coastal stretches in Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal. Under this project, shoreline management plans have been prepared for the coastal stretches of Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat. The plan envisages large scale assessment of the risks associated with erosion and preparation of a framework for development of management solutions to combat these risks. The solutions suggested in the plan have been finalized in consultation with the State Government of Gujarat and local community.

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