Need of Coastal Planning in West Bengal

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

1. From 1981 PMO’s clean beach directive to 1991 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification-the most amended Notification with 25 amendments in 15 years
2. 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 
3. 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.
4. 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
5. Institutions set up to align coastal zone functions, financing, state and central relation by:  
1. Initiating National institutional and information structures geared towards state centric management
2. Establishing Centre of excellence – National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management for guidance and facilitating science based management and implementation at state level
3. Supporting state ICSM institutions addressing planning and implementation capacity
6. Equitable Growth: Demonstrating transformative and scalable models for increasing productivity of coastal/marine systems
7. 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

1. Conservation of Coast &Coastal Resources,
2. Adopting Nature based Development of Resource
3. Promoting Integrated Village & Community Development
4. 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,-

1. ·         Storm water Drainage System in Digha.
2. ·         Phytoremediation Works in Digha.
3. ·         Renovation of Sanitary sewerage scheme, construction of office, laboratory etc. at Digha
4. ·         Beachfront Development and Hawker’s rehabilitation at Digha
5. ·         Post-harvest handling and Fish Auction Centre in Digha
6. ·         Strengthening of the Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre, Digha
7. ·         Beach Cleaning & Sanitation, Beach Beautification & Illumination, Livelihood Generation in Digha
8. ·         Solid Waste Management in Digha
9. ·         Development of Coastal Bio-Shield in Digha – Sankarpur area

In Gangasagar and Bakkhali under ICZMP Phase I following projects are identified,-

1. ·         Development of Eco-Tourism in Sagar Island.
2. ·         100 % Household Electrification in Sagar Island 

In Sundarban under ICZMP Phase I following projects are identified,-

1. ·         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.