Mangaluru: Shoreline Management Report to be mandatory for coastal projects!

Mangaluru: The implementation of shoreline management reports could be made mandatory for all coastal development activities such as port expansion, breakwater construction, and coastal erosion control. Projects without Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) approval may now require compliance with this report.

Following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change initiated a detailed study on coastal protection for the first time. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report on coastal areas across the country. For three months, NCSCM experts have conducted field studies across the coastal regions of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada.

Key Discussions Held

A meeting was held with the Deputy Commissioners of these three districts, where NCSCM experts discussed key aspects of the study. The state government will soon decide whether to adopt the report as is or make revisions. The report is expected to address future challenges, vulnerabilities, and potential solutions for coastal regions.

Recommendations and Future Plans

The report will likely offer suggestions for long-term solutions to control sea waves, including creating natural structures instead of traditional methods like rock placement or wall construction. It may also recommend preventing the construction of homes in certain coastal areas. The report will provide guidance on where development activities like port expansion can proceed and which areas should face restrictions.

Artificial Reefs

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has proposed constructing artificial reefs, known as Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), in the sea at a certain distance from the shore. These reefs can attract fish and also serve as wave-breaking zones to reduce the intensity of waves before they reach the shore.

Color Coding for Coastal Areas

Coastal areas have been assigned color codes based on their level of vulnerability to erosion. “Red” is assigned to high-erosion zones, such as Ullal’s Battappady and Sasihithlu beaches, while “Orange” is for moderately eroded areas and “Yellow” for low-erosion zones. Areas with no significant erosion fall under the “Green” category. All future activities in these zones will be based on this color-coding system.

Report Ready for Submission

The NCSCM team has already completed its study of various coastal regions, including Dakshina Kannada. The Shoreline Management Plan will become the key document for all future coastal activities once implemented, according to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan.

-Translated version of Kannada article by Dinesh Ira