POLICY INTERVENTIONS IN INDIA TO IMPROVE COASTAL RISK REDUCTION IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract

Coastal zones are one of the most dynamic natural ecosystems of our planet. The survival and livelihoods of coastal communities are contingent on the ecosystem services that coastal zones provide. Primary among these services is the reduction of coastal risks through the attenuation/ dissipation of wave energy, breaking of offshore waves, slowing of inland water transfer and sediment stabilization. These functions protect people and infrastructure from coastal risks like tsunamis, storm surges, high wind and wave velocity, and other such extreme events. There is increasing evidence that coastal ecosystems including marshes, mangroves, near-shore coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy beaches and dunes provide the critical service of coastal risk reduction. Coastal systems and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impacts brought on by climate change such as submergence, coastal flooding, and coastal erosion due to relative sea-level rise. Changes in storm intensity, high wind and wave velocity and storm surges may further contribute to an increase in the hazards faced by coastal communities. My analysis showed that the threats faced by the states on the eastern coast of India are very high and the coping capacity of these states is low. This would exacerbate the impact of extreme events, brought on by climate change, in these states. Further, geospatial analysis shows that natural coastal ecosystems have declined over the last two decades and urbanization has occurred at a very fast pace, at the expense of these natural ecosystems. Coastal population has also increased, further increasing the exposure to coastal risks. Using DPSIR as a framework, I analyzed two polices relevant to coastal risk reduction and climate change, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008) and the Coastal Regulation Zone (2019). My analysis showed that these policies do not sufficiently identify and address the climate drivers and the pressures that coastal ecosystems face. They also do not fully identify the state of the ecosystem or address the pressures. The response needs augmenting as zoning allows for too many exemptions and permissions, identification and mapping of important areas of concern have not been completely carried out, and clear goals have not been set. The measures do not adequately address threats and do not contain objective criteria for assessment. Further, outcome indicators have also not been defined. While data illustrates the fact that coastal risks have increased due to urbanization and loss of natural cover, sufficient measures have not been put in place to address these. Based on the shortcomings and lacunae in the capacity of the analyzed policies to address threats to coastal areas, I have proposed a number of modifications in these policies. Most of these recommendations relate to the inclusion of an ecosystem perspective in these policies. There is also a need to take a science based approach to policy making which would make these policies more responsive to the increasing threats to coastal risk reduction in the light of climate change. Inclusion of measures to address climate drivers, pressures, impacts and threats would better position these policies in conserving the coastal ecosystems and enhance their capacity for risk reduction.