Need of Coastal Planning in West
Bengal
Rise
of sea level is a big threat for entire civilisation in coming era.
Many
islands of the Japan, the islands of
Tuvalu, scattered over 500,000 square miles of equatorial ocean are facing extinction now because of climate change. A quarter of the world’s 100 busiest airports are less
than 10 meters, or 32 feet, above sea level, according to an analysis from
Airports Council International and Open Flights. Twelve of those airports — including hubs in Shanghai, Rome, San
Francisco and New York — are less than 5 meters above sea level. Any big storm
or catastrophe can also aggravate the sinking of land mass under the sea.
In
India, out of total area of 3,287,469 square kilometres (1,269,299 sq mi), it
has a coastline of 7,516.6 km (4,671 mi) including few islands in its territory.
As per National Centre for Coastal Research report “National Assessment of
Shoreline Changes along Indian coast”, almost one-third of India’s 6,632km
coastline was lost to soil erosion between 1990 and 2016. Coastlines of West
Bengal (63%) and Puducherry (57%) are most vulnerable to erosion, followed by
Kerala and Tamil Nadu at 45% and 41%, respectively. Odisha on the eastern
coast is the only state where the coast witnessed expansion of more than 50%.2,156.43
kilometres of the country's surveyed coastline face.
Coastal
areas of India being predominantly rich in resources, tourist attractive,
easily accessible ,it facilitates infiltration of people and investments. Rapid
urban development, increase in the number of polluting industrial units, the
growth of luxury tourism and the expansion of industrial shrimp aquaculture
have considerable socioeconomic and environmental impacts on the coast of
India. According to Census 2011, nearly 48% of India’s population from coastal
regions is currently living in urban areas. More than fifty percent of towns
(2661) and 3827 villages are situated in the coastal regions of India. 64.45%
of slum population from nine coastal states in the country also lives in
poverty. Coastal states receive more than 60% of investment, 68% of total
factories in India exist in coastal states. The rapid increases in population
density and economic activities near coastal areas significantly increase their
vulnerability.
If
we focus on the Indian coastal pictures which is given below,-
Indian Coastal
Areas
•
7500 km coastline - about 11%
of the global population
•
US$ 24 trillion estimated
Blue Economy asset value
•
US$ 2.5 trillion in estimated annual value addition
•
250
million people in 9 States/ 78 districts
and 2 UTs, occupying 25% of India’s land territory.
•
1093 beaches and 1382 islands
•
6,740 sq.km. of mangroves
of
which Sundarbans and Bhitarkanika mangrove forests are among the largest in the
world
•
35% is laden with substantial
placer mineral and heavy metal deposits
•
197 major or minor ports
and 308 large-scale industrial units
•
Coastal fishing employs a
million people full time, while the postharvest fisheries sector another 1.2
million people in 3,638 fishing villages and 2,251 fish landing centres
Evolution of Acts and regulation
- From 1981 PMO’s clean beach directive to 1991
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification-the most amended Notification
with 25 amendments in 15 years
- Looking at the complexities of coastal
management, GoI initiated a move from Coastal Regulation to Coastal
Management Approach with sound scientific basis and hence US$ 224
million ICZM Project in 2010
- To assist GoI in building national capacity for
implementation of comprehensive coastal management approach in the
country, and piloting the integrated coastal zone management approach in
States of Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal.
- ICZM Approaches and Principles adopted to
formulate National Coastal Mission and CRZ notification
amended with significant impact on India’s outlook on coastal space
& Adaptation Strategies
- Institutions set up to align coastal zone
functions, financing, state and central relation by:
- Initiating
National institutional and information structures geared towards state
centric management
- Establishing
Centre of excellence – National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management
for guidance and facilitating science based management and implementation
at state level
- Supporting
state ICSM institutions addressing planning and implementation capacity
- Equitable Growth: Demonstrating transformative
and scalable models for increasing productivity of coastal/marine systems
- Major Climate Co-benefits: Identify and enhance
coastal resilience
Under the
present scenario of massive environmental degradation along the coast line of
India, the importance of such initiative like ICZMP are huge. Few glimpse of
the projects in Gujrat are given below which are done under ICZMP,-
1. Development of Underground Sewerage System for the
area under Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (Jamnagar City including Jamnagar
Urban Development Authority)at Gujrat for the conservation and management of
coastal and marine biodiversity. 78.55% Households of City are connected with
the system(Total 99494 Households in Jamnagar City.) .
Benefit
Ø Reduced chances of contamination of the ground
water and in the water supply pipelines leading to reduced incidence of
diseases, improved health condition
Ø Economic benefits to farmers by usage of
treated sewage water for irrigation purposes and dried sludge as manure
Ø Generation of permanent employment
at STP site
Ø Created 70 MLD source of treated water for use
by Industries and Farmers
2. BISAG- Indian
Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) satellite data of LISSIII (resolution: 23m) and
LISSIV (resolution: 5.8 m), CARTOSAT data (resolution: 2.5 m) covering Gulf of
Kachchh region has been acquired for this project. These datasets have been
utilized to derive Various thematic maps like administrative boundaries,
infrastructure, industrial locations, water bodies and land-use maps of entire
Kachchh region were prepared for this project.
Benefit
ü Identification
of Potential sites for mangrove on IRS LISS-IV data
3. GANDHI- Green
Action For National Dandi Heritage Initiative
It was added to ICZMP later in the year 2010 with objectives as
mentioned below
- Conservation
of Coast &Coastal Resources,
- Adopting
Nature based Development of Resource
- Promoting
Integrated Village & Community Development
- Promoting
ecotourism and environment positive branding of destination Dandi
Benefit
ü
Covers six villages around Dandi declared as ESA in June 2011
ü
It is a national component and GEC acts as PEA
ü
Activities such
as mangrove plantation, solid waste management,
sanitation management, pond deepening etc. are being implemented
ü
Promotion of Green and Clean Emery Concept by
introducing regular cleaning drives in all the villages, installation of
various rain water harvesting structures , use of renewable energy, sources
rather than conventional one, solid
waste management an
ü
Gandhian philosophy is conveyed and well replicated in
all the six villages of GANDHI project.
ü
Fresh water is
made available at dry seasons .By this project the total freshwater storage
capacity is increased by 1,6009 ML.
ü
Has been developed as one of the potential eco-tourist
site in Gujarat
ü
For the livelihood enhancement of the locals,
various practical and theoretical
training are imparted to the locals so that individuals can develop their
skills for any trade, are trained to work in small scale industry or can even
freelance.
ü
At the end of the training programe completion
certificate will be provided to the participants which will be benefited in
terms of future career perspectives.
4. Several campaign, TV
serial on environmental issues, campaign to use eco-friendly products that are
earth friendly and environmentally sustainable and non harming, Use of
Electronic Media – FM Radio, TV etc. for spreading environmental awareness etc.
conducted at different levels. Various documentaries on mangroves, turtle
conservation, Eco-village, livelihood enhancement through dairy development
etc. are prepared and released to sensitize local communities.
5. Mangrove and plantation at Kachchh
Forest Circle.
Benefits
ü A
successful attempt to bring back the presence of locally extinct branching
corals (Acropora spp. and Montipora spp.) once again in the Gulf of Kachchh
after some 10,000 years with heavy sedimentation rate impact (Satyanarayana et
al. 2016).
ü Reef
fishes observed in the coral restoration sites, 17 Families of reef fishes recorded in the coral restoration
sites
ü Newly
recorded two species, viz., Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860)
and Subergorgia suberosa (Pallas, 1766) falling under the order Alcyoniidae,
family Clavulariidae, and order Gorgonacea Lamouroux, 1816,Family
Subergorgiidae Gray, 1859 respectively are described and illustrated from
Marine National Park, Gulf of Kachchh (Kumar et.al 2014).
ü Protocol
development for coral transplantation & large scale transplantation –
Acropora spp and local species
Successful projects at Orissa
Setting up of interpretation centre near Bhitarkanika Park, biodiversity
protection and mangrove restoration:-
In 1999 when coastal Odisha was battered
by Super Cyclone, the rich mangrove forests had then acted as a bio-shield.
There was very little impact of the cyclone in the mangrove-forested regions.
It is already scientifically proved in paper and in realty that mangrove works
as coast guard from storm, cyclone and helps in reducing flooding and coastal
erosion.
The Integrated Coastal Zone Management
(ICZM) Project is working on two stretches of coastline: Gopalpur-Chilka and
Paradip-Dhamra. In these areas, the project is seeking to plant mangroves and
other shelterbelt species, protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles and other
aquatic life, and pilot shoreline protection in the village of Pentha.
Communities are being trained to plant mangrove nurseries and given incentives
to protect them. A gene bank of mangrove species has been established and some
200 hectares have already been planted. Application of community stewardship in
conservation, restoration and sustainable management of mangroves has proved an
immense effect in Orissa coast.
The biodiversity rich Bhitarkanika
mangroves of Orissa (a Ramsar site) are of immense value, providing ecological,
livelihood and food security. Sustainable management and conservation of these
vital and life sustaining natural resources involving local communities and
other stakeholders are essential. These mangrove forests are fragile due to
high deforestation and alteration of mangrove forest patches. Mangroves in many
areas adjacent to Bhitarkanika have been clear felled, thus these areas are now
devoid of mangroves.
To conserve the turtles, awareness is
being raised among local people, and tourists are being sensitized. Community members are being trained and armed
to function as boatmen and guards to prevent poaching of these vulnerable
creatures, especially during their nesting season. To protect turtle nesting
habitats, the project is also seeking to complete the solid waste management
system for the coastal town of Paradip.
On the periphery of Chilka Lake and
the Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, the project is seeking to improve the
livelihoods of resource-dependent communities, including fisherfolk impacted by
the ban on fishing during the Olive Ridley breeding season. Carefully planned,
small-scale community-based tourism is being developed. Local communities are
being trained to get jobs as boatmen, guides, and dolphin spotters. About
400,000 people from 235 coastal villages are expected to benefit through these
measures. Sustainable feed and biofuel production in community conserved
mangroves areas are promoted. Many awareness programmes -” Love for Mangroves
is Love for God” are going on.
To protect endangered species, motor
boat traffic around the Chilka Lake is being regulated. The region’s 3000-plus
fishing and tourist boats are being converted into eco-friendly vessels that no
longer rely on diesel or other fossil fuels to run them. For the first time in
Asia, real-time monitoring and management of lake waters is being undertaken.
All fishing around the area is to be certified by the Marine Stewardship
Council. Moreover, a wetlands research center is being established to expand
knowledge about the area’s fish species, the Irrawady dolphin, and migratory
bird habitats.
Orissa Government also approved to set
up a Ramsar Regional Centre for South Asia at Chilika including socio-economic
development of fisherfolks living in and around Chilika, development of
infrastructure and monitoring and management of the lagoon .
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (
ICZM) in Bangladesh
Two districts, Bhola and Cox’s Bazar
are identified on pilot basis. The process of ICZM is structured through
three-tier outputs: a policy, a strategy and a priority investment program. The
first tier is the Coastal Zone Policy (CZPo) approved by Government of
Bangladesh on 17 January 2005. The main objective of CZPo are ,-
1.
economic
growth;
2.
basic
needs and opportunities for livelihoods;
3.
reduction
of vulnerabilities;
4.
sustainable
management of natural resources;
5.
equitable
distribution;
6.
empowerment
of communities;
7.
women’s
development and gender equity and
8.
conservation
and enhancement of critical ecosystems.
Following Strategic priorities are taken,-
1.
Ensuring fresh and safe water availability (in the context of regional water
resources management)
2.
Safety
from man-made and natural hazards
3.
Optimizing
use of coastal lands
4.
Promoting
economic growth emphasizing non-farm rural employment
5.
Sustainable
management of natural resources
6.
Improving
livelihood conditions of the people specially women
7.
Environmental
conservation
8.
Empowering
through knowledge management
9.
Creating
an enabling institutional environment
The following interventions related to CZ are on-going or
in pipeline.
Type of intervention
|
Proposed action under
ICZM
|
Identified projects
|
Sanitation and safe
water supply
|
Strengthening Sanitation and Safe
Water
Supply Programs in Arsenic and
Salinity
Affected Areas (in selected 10 upazilas
of
the coastal zone)
|
◊ Southwest Area Integrated Water
Resources Planning & Management Project
◊ Integrated Planning for
Sustainable Water Management (IPSWAM) project (1999-2006)
◊ Water Management Improvement
Project
◊ Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation
Water Supply Project (1998-2006)
◊ GoB-DANIDA Arsenic Mitigation
Project (2001-2006)
◊ Rural Water Supply and Sanitation
Project in Coastal Area (GoB-DANIDA) (1999-2006)
◊ Small Scale Flood Control,
Drainage and Irrigation Project (Phase-II - 27 sub projects) (1997-
2006)
◊ Mohora Water Supply Project
(2003-2007)
◊ Second Small Scale Water Resources
Development Sector Project (2001-2008)
◊ IDB Assisted Water Supply Project
in the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh (Phase II) (2003-2006)
|
Effective system of
groundwater
management
|
- Ground Water Management in the CZ
of
Bangladesh
|
Regional integrated
water management plans
(hydrological regions)
|
- Integrated water resource
management of
Greater Noakhali
|
Integrated drainage improvement of
tidal
influenced southwest region of
Bangladesh
|
Implementation of the Gorai River
Restoration Project
|
Strengthening and
rehabilitation of sea
dykes
|
inventory of sea dykes
- gap identification
- maintenance of sea dykes
|
◊ Comprehensive Disaster Management
Program (2004-2007)
◊ Construction of Multi-purpose
Cyclone Shelter Centers (Phase-II) (1998-2006)
◊ Construction of Disaster Shelter
in South-west region of Bangladesh (2000-2006)
◊ Cyclone Rehabilitation Project:
Entire Coastal Areas (Phase-II) (2002-2006)
◊ Rehabilitation of Most Vulnerable
Polders in Coastal Areas (2003-2006)
◊ Protection of Embankments from
river erosion in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola district
(2003-2008)
◊ Jamuna-Meghna River Erosion
Mitigation Project (2002-2009)
|
Reduction of severe
vulnerability in the
Coastal Zone through
multi-purpose cyclone
shelters- including
coping mechanisms
|
-inventory of existing cyclone
shelters
- design and plan of new shelters
including
strengthening of community houses
- Construction of shelters
- Strengthen coping mechanisms
|
Development and settlement
of accreted land
|
-Development and settlement of
accreted land including manual for
the development of accreted lands
and settlements
|
◊ Char Development and Settlement
Project – III (2005-2009)
◊ Estuary Development Program
(2002-2007)
◊ Rehabilitation of Most Vulnerable
Polders in Coastal Areas (2003-2006)
◊ Hatiya-Nijhum Dwip Cross Dam
project
|
- Char development and settlement
projects
|
Integrated management of
coastal water infrastructures
|
- Management of coastal water
resources infrastructure
|
Coastal land zoning
|
- Formalizing the zoning approach
through the Ministry of Land
|
- Detailed zoning in all coastal
upazilas
|
- National plan for detailed zoning
|
Development of coastal agriculture
in Bangladesh.
|
Development of coastal agriculture
(e.g., floating agriculture; saline
tolerant crops; agro based
industries
& marketing network)
|
Enhancement of coastal
livelihoods through enterprise
development
|
-enhancement of coastal livelihoods
though
supporting enterprise development
-entrepreneurship training
-support to selected trades
|
◊ Market Infrastructure Development
Project in Charland regions (2006-2012)
◊ Establishment of Karnaphuli EPZ at
Chittagong Steel Mills Area (2004-2006)
◊ Mongla Export Processing zone –
1st Phase (1998-2006)
◊ Noakhali Industrial Estate
(2000-2006)
|
Tourism development in the CZ
for improvement of livelihoods and
poverty reduction
|
-tourism development in the CZ for
improvement
of livelihoods and poverty reduction
- tourist guide training
- eco-tourism, support to cottages
etc
|
Environmental and socially
responsive shrimp farming in 4
selected upazilas
|
-shrimp zoning
-piloting and demonstration
|
◊ Extension of Culture Technology of
Marine Shrimp (1997-2006)
◊ Fourth Fisheries Project
(1999-2006)
◊ Empowerment of Coastal Fishing
Community for Livelihood Security Project (2000-2005)
◊ Greater Noakhali Aquaculture
Extension Project (1994-2006)
◊ Patuakhali and Barguna Aquaculture
extension Project (1994-2006)
◊ Community Based Fisheries
Management Project (Phase-II) (2001-2006)
◊ Diffusion of Renewable Energy
Technology (Phase-II) (1999-2006)
◊ Rural Electrification through
Solar Energy (2002-2007)
◊ Forestry Sector Project (FSP)
(Revised) (1997-2006)
◊ Afforestation of coastal charlands
(2004-2009)
◊ Master Plan for the St. Martin’s
Island
|
Introduction and expansion of solar,
tidal and wind energy in the remote
coastal areas
|
local level energy
utilization planning
establishment of energy
generation unit
specially in remote islands and
chars
|
Marine Fisheries Development
Program
|
- assessment and action plan
- investment
|
Enhancement of
livelihoods in chars
and islands of the CZ
|
- design and plan
- provision of infrastructure,
services,
trades and business development
- local government linkage
- coastal char livelihoods program
|
◊ Empowerment of Coastal Fishing
Community for Livelihood Security Project (2000-2005)
◊ Poverty Alleviation Programme
through Integrated fish Cultivation (Phase-II) (1999-2005)
◊ Rural Livelihood Project
(1998-2007)
◊ Rural Women Employment Creation
(2nd Phase) Project (1999-2006)
◊ Smallholder livestock development
in five southern districts (SLDP-II) (2000-2006)
◊ Rural development Project:
Infrastructure Development (2003-2008)
◊ Rural development project-25:
Greater Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal and Patuakhali
Districts (2002-2009)
◊ Construction of Cox's Bazar-Teknaf
Marine Drive (2004-2007)
◊ Construction of Third Karnaphuli
Bridge (2003-2007)
|
Integrated
development of
remotely located
island
|
- special area development plans
|
Capacity building of
female fish processors in Cox’s
Bazar district
|
- group formed
- training and demonstration
- input and establishment support
|
Comprehensive
Rehabilitation
Program for Erosion
Victims of Coastal
Zone of Bangladesh
|
- identification of present and
predicted
erosion prone areas
- rehabilitation program on newly
developed lands
- socio-economic opportunities
|
Improvement of
Livestock services in the Coastal
Zone
|
- design mechanisms and steps for
improvement
- poultry development for hard core
poor
- veterinary services in remote
areas
- introduction of improved stocks
- goat and beef fattening program
|
Marine and Coastal
Environmental
Development
|
Protecting Seas from Land based activities
-Mangrove afforestation program
through integrated
and participatory approach
|
◊ Bangladesh Environment and
Management Project (1998-2006)
◊ Sustainable Environment Management
Programme (1998-2005)
◊ Conservation of Bio-diversity,
Establishment of Marine Park and Development of Echo-tourism
at St. Martin Island (2000-2007)
◊ Development of Dulhazara Safari
Park, Cox's Bazar (Revised) (2003-2008)
◊ Natural Environment/ Biodiversity
Conservation & Development at Bashkhali, Chittagong
(2003-2008)
◊ Coastal and Wetland Biodiversity
Management at Cox's Bazar & Hakaluki haor (2002-2009)
◊ Establishment of 5 Eco-Parks and
Park development (2004-2007)
◊ Nijhum Dwip National Park
Development (2004-2007)
◊ Reduction of Vulnerabilities to
Climate Change Project (Phase II)
◊ Strengthening Coast Guard Project
|
Strengthening of Coast
Guard for Improvement
of Coastal Safety and
Security, Coordination
with Other Law
Enforcing Agencies
|
- Equipping coast guard for
environment monitoring
- Emergency disaster preparedness
including
tsunami and oil spillage
- Protecting coastal fisher from
piracy and other sea
hazards
|
In West Bengal Integrated Coastal Zone Management ( ICZM)
also started in 2011. Digha and Gangasagar Bakkhali are selected as main focus
area.
In Digha under ICZMP Phase I following projects are
identified,-
- ·
Storm
water Drainage System in Digha.
- ·
Phytoremediation
Works in Digha.
- ·
Renovation
of Sanitary sewerage scheme, construction of office, laboratory etc. at Digha
- ·
Beachfront
Development and Hawker’s rehabilitation at Digha
- ·
Post-harvest
handling and Fish Auction Centre in Digha
- ·
Strengthening
of the Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre, Digha
- ·
Beach
Cleaning & Sanitation, Beach Beautification & Illumination, Livelihood
Generation in Digha
- ·
Solid
Waste Management in Digha
- ·
Development
of Coastal Bio-Shield in Digha – Sankarpur area
In Gangasagar and Bakkhali under ICZMP Phase I following
projects are identified,-
- ·
Development
of Eco-Tourism in Sagar Island.
- ·
100
% Household Electrification in Sagar Island
In Sundarban under ICZMP Phase I following projects are
identified,-
- ·
Capacity
Building for Climate Change Studies - Cataloging and Describing the Microbial
Diversity of Sundarban
ICZMP
Phase II is also going to initiate in India covering all the coastal states
including West Bengal emphasizing more on development of livelihood of the
coastal community and sustainability of the coastal areas.
