India’s extensive coastline, stretching over 7,500 kilometers, holds immense resource potential and strategic significance. Let’s explore these aspects:
- Resource Potentials:
- Fisheries: India’s coastal waters teem with a rich variety of marine life, making it one of the world’s top fish-producing nations.
- Tourism: The picturesque beaches, scenic landscapes, and historical sites along the coastline attract tourists from around the world.
- Hydrocarbons and Minerals: Offshore areas harbor hydrocarbon reserves (such as oil and natural gas) in regions like the Bombay High and K-G basin. Coastal areas are also rich in minerals like salt, limestone, and phosphates.
- Placer Deposits: Continental shelves contain valuable minerals like titanium, zircon, and rare earth elements.
- Agriculture: Coconut, cashew, rice, and various fruits and vegetables thrive in these regions. Newer avenues include seaweed cultivation, offshore wind farms, and tidal energy converters.
- Natural Hazard Preparedness:
- Cyclones: Coastal regions, especially in the Bay of Bengal, are susceptible to cyclones during the monsoon season. Initiatives like the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) focus on early warning systems and cyclone shelters.
- Floods: Monsoons bring heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers, leading to inundation. Disaster management plans address flood risks.
- Tsunamis: The Indian Ocean region is prone to tsunamis, necessitating preparedness measures.
- Sea-Level Rise: Climate change-induced higher sea levels pose risks of saltwater intrusion, erosion, and storm surges.
- Efforts: India actively monitors sea-level changes, strengthens coastal infrastructure resilience, conserves mangroves, and engages in urban planning.
In summary, while India’s coastline offers significant opportunities, it also faces challenges. Ongoing efforts aim to protect lives, resources, and livelihoods in these vulnerable areas.
