NEWS – Karnataka’s Coastal Erosion Worsens: 91.6 km of Coastline Affected, Up 110% Since 1990, Reveals Government Study

HIGHLIGHTS

• Key finding: Eroding stretches of Karnataka’s coastline have more than doubled in 34 years, increasing from 7 km in 1990 to 91.6 km in 2024.
• Extent of impact: 28% of the 55-km coastline is now exposed to high erosion.
• Study commissioned by: State government and conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

Causes of Increased Erosion

• Climate Change and Human Activities
  • Climate change poses significant threats to coastal ecosystems.
  • Exponential increase in coastal infrastructure since 1990.
  • Sediment barriers and upstream activities disrupting the natural sediment flow.
• District-specific Insights
  • Uttara Kannada:
    • Coastline length: 193 km.
    • Accounts for 39% of erosion in Karnataka despite rocky shores.
    • Increased coastal developmental activities have led to significant erosion.
  • Udupi:
    • Protection: 43% of the coastline protected by seawalls.
    • Erosion: 38% of its coastline continues to erode.
    • Contribution to Karnataka’s erosion: 32%.
  • Dakshina Kannada:
    • Coastline length: 37 km.
    • Has the highest percentage (39%) of eroding stretches.
    • Critical erosion stretches: Uchil and Batapady.

Impacts of Coastal Erosion

• Coastal habitations.
• Scrublands and estuarine environments.
• Mangroves and mudflats.
• Fish landing areas, impacting local fishermen’s livelihood.

Interventions for Coastal Erosion

• Identification of Critical Zones
  • Report identifies 44 critical eroding stretches across Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada.
  • Stretches include fishing hamlets, tourism zones, and other coastal areas.
• Recommended Solutions
• Nature-based Interventions:
  • Beach nourishment: Replenishing sand to maintain beach width and slow erosion.
  • Rehabilitation of sand dunes: Planting grasses to bind sand.
  • Mangrove afforestation: Vital for both erosion control and enhancing fisheries.
• Advantages of Nature-based Solutions:
  • Sustainable, long-term results.
  • Avoids drawbacks of hard solutions like seawalls, which cause erosion elsewhere.

The K-SHORE Project

• Full name: Karnataka-Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (K-SHORE).
• Focus on implementing nature-based solutions.
• Budget Allocation
  • Total project cost: Rs 840 crore.
    • Rs 340 crore: Tackling plastic pollution.
    • Remaining funds: Implementing coastal erosion solutions.
  • Multi-Department Collaboration – Departments to join hands for coordinated efforts on mangrove planting, beach nourishment, and other measures.
  • Expected Outcomes
    • Boost to the blue economy through sustainable development.
    • Reduction in plastic pollution.
    • Enhanced fisheries due to mangrove ecosystems.

Importance of the Report

• Serves as a reference for the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority (KSCZMA).
• Guides future proposals for coastal development and erosion management.