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Case
Study on Coastal Fragile Areas
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Foreword
The
Central Pollution Control Board conducted a survey of the Indian coast
during 1982-87. The information collected was compiled and brought
out in a series of reports entitled "Use Classification of Indian
Coasts and Conflicts: Part I- V ." Based on the survey, 32 areas on
the coastal belt were identified as fragile areas. The present report
is in continuation of the earlier survey. The details in respect of
the identified fragile areas are provided in this report.
The total area occupied by Indian mangroves is estimated to be 6819.1,
of which about 60% occurs in Sunderbans. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
the forests are gregarious type, dominated by single species. The
waters in these areas are still pristine. A recent estimate of coral
reef flat area of the country by remote sensing technology shows the
extent of reef flat in |
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Gujarat
coast as 148.4 sq km, that of Tamil Nadu coast as 64.9 sq km, Lakshadweep
140.1 sq km and that of Andaman and Nicobar islands as 813.2 sq km.
Siltation, coral mining and dynamiting for fishing are the main reasons
for destruction of corals. Today, among the Indian coral reefs, only
some sites in Andaman and Nicobar still remain undisturbed without
human interference. Information on Cochin backwaters, Pulicat lake,
Chilka lake and tourists and pilgrim centres along the coast and nesting
ground of olive rid ley turtle, the Gahirmatha coast is also dqcumented
in this report.
To create awareness
about the importance of the oceans, the marine environment and its
resources for life on Earth, the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) decided that the focal theme for the World Environment Day
(1998) is entitled "For life on Earth-Save our Seas." Through this
report, we wish to focus on our national concern for conservation
of coastal ecosystems.
I would like to place on record our sincere appreciation for the ground
work done by the Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University,
Chennai in preparation of this report. The inputs and co-operation
received from different research organisations, government departments
and academic institutions are gratefully acknowledged. We hope, this
report will pe useful to all those involved in the coastal zone management
of the country. |
Dilip Biswas
Chairman, CPCB
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