The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, now being implemented in Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal with World Bank assistance, would be extended to the other 10 coastal States also, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan said here on Sunday.
Under the project, hazard mapping is being carried out for the entire country with the help of the Survey of India. And to build capacity and undertake research in the area of coastal management, a National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management within Anna University, Chennai, is being established in collaboration with 11 identified State-level research institutions, including the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), she added. “My ministry has accorded highest priority to sustainable management of coastal areas,” she said.
Inaugurating a four-day international conference on ‘Mangroves for Coastal Area Management,' organised by the MSSRF, she lamented that over the past 30 years, India had lost about 12 per cent of its mangroves because of human pressure on coastal areas.
“This is a matter of serious concern to us,” she said. “Our coastal ecosystems are a critical reservoir of our biodiversity. They provide protection from natural disasters and are a source of livelihood to millions of families.” Ms. Natarajan said.
Pointing out that India had “remarkable biodiversity” in its coastal and marine ecosystems, she said the country had the world's best and rarest coral reefs. Dense mangrove forests and delicate sea grass beds were just a few of the natural treasures to be found along India's coastline.
She said fisheries sector generated employment to more than six million people and accounted for 1.2 per cent of Indian GDP. Fish was also an important protein source for many people. Besides, coastal and marine environment was of importance to other major economic production sectors that included agriculture, tourism, ports, maritime shipping, other major transport and communication sectors and their related infrastructure.
Ms.Natarajan lauded the contribution of the MSSRF to the disadvantaged sections of society and described its chairman M.S.Swaminathan as a “national treasure” who deserved Bharat Ratna.
Earlier she released a volume on “mangrove”.
Dr. Swaminathan, presiding, said mangroves acted as “super speed breakers” against “super cyclones”. Calling them “bio-shield”, he suggested that these could be raised near the atomic power plants as protection from natural disasters. People should realise the value of mangroves, he pleaded. Explaining the mission of the foundation, which is celebrating its 22{+n}{+d} annual day, he said “we are trying to blend traditional wisdom with modern science” for the welfare of mankind.
J.R.Bhatt, Director, MoEF, promised to extend “core support” to the foundation's activities.
N.Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , and a trustee of the foundation, said this organisation was unique because it gave primacy to science and had made a difference to society.
Ajay Parida, executive director, MSSRF, outlined the activities of the foundation and how it had been helpful to various sections of society.
