Foreword
For centuries, the oceans and seas around the world have been regarded as the endless source of food and usually as depository of wastes of all kinds. Only in the later half of the twentieth century, the concern has Qeveloped about the damage we have done to marine ecosystems and to the marine life. It is only in the last two decades, we have begun to make concerted efforts to limit and repair the effects of this misuse through various protection programmes and regulations under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

To provide a forum for exchange of experience on issues relating to legislation, impact assessment and management of coastal environment, the Central Pollution Control Board sponsored a conference, which was organised by the Environmental Monitoring, Training and Research Centre (EMTRC) .I would like to place on record our sincere appreciation for the efforts made by EMTRC, Delhi for organising the conference and compilation of presentations on s~lected topics contained in this document.